At the Suffolk County Water Authority, our mission goes beyond delivering water—we are committed to building trust with our customers by providing a reliable supply of water, meeting the highest quality standards and maintaining a strong distribution system. Over the past several years, we have made major investments in the Town of Babylon to strengthen infrastructure, enhance water treatment and improve the appearance of our facilities.
Water quality is at the heart of everything we do. As new regulations take effect and new contaminants emerge, we continue to install advanced treatment systems to ensure our customers receive the highest quality drinking water—water that meets all standards and tastes great.
In East Farmingdale, a major milestone was achieved this year. SCWA has operated the East Farmingdale Water District since 2010. In March, we placed a new Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) system into service at our Smith Street well, restoring a critical water source for the East Farmingdale community. The water from this well, once the worst in SCWA’s system for 1,4-dioxane detections, now produces water where 1,4-dioxane is undetectable—a major achievement. We are also installing a Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) system at the Broadhollow Road well field to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from Well #1. Volatile Organic Compounds are found in such items as paint, finishes, and personal care products. With these two wells restored to full service, our supply will be substantially improved, ensuring we can reliably serve our customers even when demand is at its highest.
We have also prioritized improvements in areas where demand is growing. Our investments in Wyandanch Rising included numerous water main replacements and upgrades to support development. In 2019, we extended a water main from Wyandanch to the East Farmingdale Water District, providing an emergency backup system to enhance reliability for both communities.
One important project in the southern most portion of the township was the construction of the Oak Beach water system, placed into service in December 2024. This system includes two new wells, advanced treatment, iron removal, an emergency generator and a new distribution network—ensuring a safe, reliable water source for this coastal community. The community, which previously operated its own water system, was plagued with poor water quality. The Suffolk County Department of Health Services stepped in, ordering a new public water system to be built. That is when SCWA contracted with the Town of Babylon to build a new system to supply residents with safe high quality public water.
Delivering high-quality water requires a strong, modern distribution system. That’s why we are continually investing in water main replacements, hydrant improvements and infrastructure upgrades across Babylon Township.
Recent projects include water main replacements on Highland Place and Harbor Road in Babylon, Bauer Street in West Babylon and multiple streets in Amityville, Lindenhurst, Copiague and Deer Park. These upgrades enhance water pressure, improve reliability and help prevent service disruptions. We have also completed hydrant replacements in Amityville, Babylon and Lindenhurst, ensuring firefighting infrastructure remains strong and ready when needed.
While water quality and reliability are our top priorities, we also recognize the importance of being a good neighbor. In 2023, we enhanced landscaping at our Amityville pump station as part of an Earth Day Beautification project, improving the facility’s appearance and blending it into the community. We will continue seeking opportunities to enhance the appearance of our infrastructure.
Every investment we make reflects our deep commitment to the residents of Babylon Township. Delivering water that residents can trust—water that tastes great, meets the highest standards and flows reliably every time they turn on the tap—is fundamental to our mission. SCWA will continue working every day to earn that trust and deliver the quality our customers deserve.
Jeff Szabo is the Chief Executive Officer of the Suffolk County Water Authority.