The Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) held a tour and demonstration of its facilities to a group of water professionals whose utilities serve Tribal Nations. The tour was part of the 2023 United South and Eastern Tribes’ (USET) Tribal Utility Summit, which provide technical assistance and training to USET member Tribal Nation’s water utilities. This year’s summit was hosted by the Shinnecock Nation. More than 30 attendees joined SCWA, which gave technical explanations of its water treatment system and answered questions from visitors.
“We are proud at SCWA to be recognized as one of the leaders in the water utility industry,” said SCWA Chairman Charles Lefkowitz. “Part of being a leader means sharing what you know with others. We always welcome the opportunity to share our expertise with other utilities, particularly those who work to serve the Tribal Nations around our country. I want to say thank you to the Shinnecock Nation for hosting this summit and making SCWA a part of it.”
SCWA Director of Production Control Michael O’Connell led the touring group through SCWA’s Jayne Boulevard well field in Port Jefferson Station. There he discussed well construction and equipment, Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) treatment to remove PFAS from drinking water, and other water treatment techniques, such as chlorination and corrosion control with lime.
“We have been at the forefront of removing PFAS from our drinking water here in Suffolk County,” said O’Connell. “As more and more providers begin dealing with PFAS for the first time with new federal regulations, this is an opportunity to share the important lessons we have learned along the way. The more we share the better we can serve everyone.”
About Suffolk County Water Authority:
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.