The Suffolk County Water Authority celebrated the launch of the Suffolk County Water Authority Education Center on Monday, June 30 in Hauppauge with an official ribbon cutting attended by SCWA Board members, county legislators and members of the Suffolk County Historical Society, which loaned SCWA an informative display on the Pine Barrens region.
Using vacant space at its Hauppauge office, SCWA employees created a center that includes historical SCWA documents and photos; displays including an old wooden water main, a hydrant and a double-gate water valve; and artifacts that illustrate how dramatically technology has changed SCWA’s field operations.
A standing display on loan from the Suffolk County Historical Society provides an overview of the history of the Pine Barrens and the critical role this region plays in the protection of the County’s precious groundwater. The facility also includes a liquid diorama of Long Island’s water cycle and a “Water Workshop” where children can make model scale replicas of aquifers.
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.
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Joining SCWA Chairman James F. Gaughran, holding scissors, for the ribbon cutting are, left to right, Suffolk County Historical Society Executive Director Kathryn M. Curran and Trustee Noel Gish; Suffolk County Legislators Sarah Anker and Monica Martinez; SCWA Board Secretary Patrick G. Halpin and Board members Jane Devine and Mario Mattera.