From left to right, Comptroller John M. Kennedy Jr, Pipeline Inspector Tom Gilson, Legislator Leslie Kennedy and Director of Construction/ Maintenance Brendan Warner review SCWA construction plans.
The Suffolk County Water Authority replaced approximately 3,200 feet of aging cast iron water main on 43rd Street and Morning Drive in Centereach following numerous main breaks in the area.
The old water main was replaced with new, more durable ductile iron water main, creating a more reliable water system for customers in the surrounding community and reducing the likelihood of future main breaks.
“Replacing aging infrastructure is an important part of our ongoing efforts to provide customers with a reliable water supply,” said SCWA Director of Construction/ Maintenance Brendan Warner. “Given the number of main breaks in this area, replacing this aging cast iron main with ductile iron was the right investment to improve reliability for customers.”
Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy and Suffolk County Comptroller John M. Kennedy Jr. toured the project site with Warner to see the work firsthand. “Reliable water infrastructure is essential to the health, safety and quality of life of our residents,” said Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy. “I was pleased to see the Suffolk County Water Authority addressing the aging infrastructure in Centereach and making these important improvements for our community.”
Cast iron is an older material used for water main that becomes brittle and loses structural integrity over time, making it susceptible to breaks caused by soil shifts and temperature fluctuations. The new pipe installed by SCWA is made with ductile iron. Ductile iron possesses higher tensile strength and flexes under environmental stress without fracturing, which reduces the frequency of pipe failures and stabilizes water distribution.
The project was part of SCWA’s ongoing effort to replace aging water mains throughout Suffolk County and improve the reliability of its water distribution system.
About SCWA:
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.