The Suffolk County Water Authority this week began the installation of an iron and manganese filtration system at its Easton Street, Ronkonkoma pump station, an investment that should remove nearly all of the iron and manganese from water supplied to Ronkonkoma area residents.
Though not dangerous to health, the presence of these chemicals in the water supply can cause water to be of a rusty color, which is unappealing visually and can also lead to the staining of laundry. Levels of naturally-occurring iron and manganese have been elevated historically in this area of the county.
"We are continually looking for ways to bolster our infrastructure to better serve our customers, and installing this equipment at our Easton Street station has been a high priority for us," said SCWA Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey W. Szabo. "Our customers should see a big difference in their water quality very quickly."
The filtration system should be in operation by mid-September.
Pictured is Suffolk County Water Authority Water Quality Engineer Joseph Roccaro overseeing a new iron and manganese filtration system being lowered into place at SCWA's Easton Street, Ronkonkoma pump station.
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.