SCWA Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz (left), Deputy CEO Frank Tassone (second from left) and Project Manager Mike Zobel (right) give Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (middle) and Councilman Tom Lohmann (second from right) an overview of the upgraded facility.
Suffolk County Water Authority Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz and Deputy CEO for Customer Service Frank Tassone recently hosted Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim and Smithtown Councilman Tom Lohmann for a tour of SCWA’s newly upgraded Old Dock Road well field facility. SCWA recently brought two new Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) systems designed to remove the emerging contaminant 1,4-dioxane from drinking water into service. The treatment systems ensure the delivery of high-quality public water to the Kings Park community.
“These systems represent a major investment in public health and in the long-term sustainability of our water supply,” said SCWA Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz. “Getting these wells back into full service benefits residents by improving supply and water quality. With 19 AOP systems now operating across Suffolk, we remain at the forefront of tackling 1,4-dioxane and protecting our customers’ drinking water.”
Both systems were supported by $900,000 in state grant funding from the New York Environmental Facilities Corporation through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) program. Since 2019, SCWA has been awarded $78 million in WIIA grants to help install advanced treatment systems for 1,4-dioxane and PFAS and to extend public water to communities impacted by these contaminants.
Supervisor Wehrheim praised SCWA’s leadership in water quality innovation. “The Suffolk County Water Authority continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing the highest standard of drinking water,” Wehrheim said. “These upgrades are another example of how proactive planning and investment protect the health of our residents.”
Councilman Lohmann also noted the importance of the upgrades for the local community. “This is an impressive facility that showcases the cutting-edge technology being used right here in Kings Park,” Lohmann said. “It’s reassuring to see the dedication and expertise that go into keeping our drinking water clean and safe.”
The AOP treatment process uses a combination of hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet light to break down 1,4-dioxane molecules, followed by granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration to remove any remaining traces. SCWA developed and implemented New York State’s first AOP system and continues to lead the way in water treatment innovation.
About SCWA:
The Suffolk County Water Authority is an independent public-benefit corporation operating under the authority of the Public Authorities Law of the State of New York. Serving approximately 1.2 million Suffolk County residents, the Authority operates without taxing power on a not-for-profit basis.