Brendan Warner is sworn in as Chair of the Long Island Water Conference
The Long Island Water Conference (LIWC) has appointed Brendan Warner, Director of Construction & Maintenance at the Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA), as its new Chair. Warner previously served as LIWC’s First Vice Chair. His appointment was formalized at the organization’s December meeting and installation ceremony.
The LIWC is one of the region’s leading drinking water organizations, representing more than 50 public water suppliers, engineers and technical experts across Nassau and Suffolk counties. The Conference coordinates regional responses to shared challenges, supports advancements in drinking water treatment, advocates for strong state and federal protections for Long Island’s aquifer and provides a unified voice on issues affecting public water quality and supply.
Warner brings extensive operational experience to the Chair role. At SCWA, he oversees the construction and maintenance of the Authority’s 6,000-mile water distribution system, including annual replacement of 20 to 30 miles of water main, round-the-clock main break repairs and expansion of public water into unserved neighborhoods. His department also maintains more than 38,000 fire hydrants across Suffolk County and led SCWA’s system-wide lead service line replacement program, completing replacements ahead of federal deadlines at no cost to customers. In 2024, Warner was recognized for his achievements when he was named to the Long Island Business News’s 40 Under 40 list.
“Brendan has been at the center of some of the most important infrastructure work happening on Long Island,” said SCWA Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz. “His knowledge of large-scale construction, system operations and customer-focused improvements makes him the right person to lead the Conference at a time when water suppliers are facing new regulatory challenges and increasing expectations for transparency and investment.”
“It’s an honor to serve as Chair,” Warner said. “Every water supplier on Long Island is facing similar pressures, and collaboration is how we stay ahead of them. I’m looking forward to bringing my experience in large-scale construction and system maintenance to the Conference’s work and supporting our shared commitment to delivering high-quality drinking water.”
Warner succeeds Oyster Bay Water District Commissioner Robert McEvoy, who completed his term as Chair. His leadership begins immediately, with LIWC meetings scheduled throughout 2026.
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.