The Suffolk County Water Authority announced this week at a press conference in Huntington that it will undertake multiple projects to replace old and undersized water main on more than a dozen streets in Huntington village this fall.
In total, the projects will replace nearly 12,000 feet of water main on 13 streets: Penataquit Place; Mechanic Street; Clinton Avenue; Central Street; Oakwood Road; Knollwood Avenue; Crescent Drive; Hillcrest Street; Myrtle Avenue; Elm Street; Benedict Place; Gibson Avenue; and Madison Street. The new ductile iron pipe will be larger than the existing pipe, which will improve water pressure in the area and therefore improve fire protection.
SCWA Chairman James Gaughran also announced at the press conference, held on Madison Street at the site of one of the upcoming projects, that the water supplier had submitted an application for Drinking Water State Revolving Funds to replace 5,820 feet of water main on Main Street and E. Main Street in Huntington village, an area that supplies the town’s Emergency Operations Center and Huntington Hospital. That effort is supported by Town of Huntington Supervisor Frank Petrone.
"I commend Chairman Gaughran and the Suffolk County Water Authority for being attentive to Huntington’s infrastructure needs," said Supervisor Petrone. "Replacing water mains that are in some cases over 100 years old will help ensure that Huntington has a reliable water supply, especially in emergencies. I look forward to continuing to work with the Water Authority on this and future Huntington projects."
In total, SCWA will spend $14 million under the current capital budget to replace water mains, a 45% increase over last year’s budget.
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.