We Don’t Have Enough Water to Meet Demand.

SCWA operates 60 wells across 18 well fields on the North Fork, supplying 9,500 customers. Despite conservation efforts, water demand on the North Fork continues to increase. Excessive demand strains infrastructure and negatively impacts our water source.

What’s Impacting the Supply?

• Most wells draw from the Upper Glacial Aquifer, which is vulnerable to contamination from pesticides, herbicides and rising chloride levels.

• Growing concerns over PFAS contamination are driving more private well users to seek public water.

• Over-pumping risks saltwater entering the freshwater aquifer, limiting expansion.

 

NFP_Banner_(4)

 

The Suffolk County Water Authority has a plan to address the North Fork’s water needs, while protecting the source​:

• A new 8.5 mile, 24-inch transmission line will bring pristine water from where we have it to where we need it—right on the North Fork
 
• We'll build a new booster station for pressure and reliability.
 
• We’ll complete the project by 2030, while minimizing traffic disruptions.
 

North Fork Pipeline Route

(Note: No customer service connections will be made within the Riverhead Water District service area.)

Key Benefits:

 
• Cleaner Water: The additional supply of pristine water means we won't have to build expensive treatment on wells if contamination is discovered.
 
• Aquifer Protection: We can ease use on North Fork wells, allowing the thin aquifer to recover.
 
• Saltwater Prevention: As the North Fork aquifer recovers, we protect fresh water supply for farmers and residents that rely on the local supply.
 
This project ensures safe, reliable water for the North Fork’s future.
 

SCWA will lay out this plan and hold public scoping sessions to gather input from the community as part of the environmental review process:

June 4th, 2025 at 6 PM
Suffolk County Water Authority
624 Old Riverhead Road
Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
 
June 10th, 2025 at 6 PM
Riverhead Public Library
330 Court Street
Riverhead, NY 11901
 
June 12th, 2025 at 6 PM
Floyd Memorial Public Library
539 First Street
Greenport, NY 11944