Region-wide Power Outages Impact Entire System, But Generator Power Keeps Water Flowing
The Suffolk County Water Authority announced today that it has so far emerged from Hurricane Irene with no significant water supply interruptions as a result of the storm.
Though region-wide power outages impacted SCWA’s water distribution system, as expected, a network of generators at pump stations throughout the county have kept water flowing. A total of 43 pump stations have been switched to generator power since the beginning of the storm.
“Overall, we have fared very well,” said Chief Executive Officer Jeff Szabo. “We’ve had no significant main breaks or service interruptions, and we’ve been assured by suppliers that we should have timely fuel deliveries to keep the water supply flowing until full power is restored throughout the system.”
Szabo said SCWA had kept Production Control employees on stand-by to keep water flowing during the storm and was prepared to open its Customer Service Call Center if necessary on Sunday. Also, SCWA employees were dispatched to assess damage at pump stations immediately after the dangerous winds subsided Sunday morning. Several downed trees, including one at the back gate of SCWA’s Oakdale headquarters, were reported. No downed trees, however, impacted operations.
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.