From left to right: Suffolk County Water Authority CEO Jeff Szabo, Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz and Director of Production Control Michael O’Connell inspect pump station at West Gilgo Beach.
After more than a decade of discussions, the Suffolk County Water Authority officially assumed operation of the West Gilgo Beach water system, ensuring the community will be supplied with reliable, high-quality drinking water service.
As part of the agreement, SCWA installed water meters on all homes in West Gilgo Beach. New York State law requires all homes on a public water system are equipped with a water meter. The utility will now be responsible for managing and improving the community’s existing water distribution system. SCWA will also conduct rigorous water quality testing and oversee regulatory compliance, providing the same level of service it delivers across its service territory.
Rising costs of operating a water system and increasingly complex regulatory requirements prompted the West Gilgo Beach community to turn to SCWA’s expertise. SCWA has already manages several water systems on Fire Island, earning the confidence of customers on the barrier island.
“This agreement has been a long time coming and we are excited to welcome the West Gilgo Beach community. The residents, like all our customers, will be able to rely on SCWA’s expertise and infrastructure to deliver safe, high-quality drinking water for generations to come,” said SCWA Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz. “We’re proud that this community placed its trust in us and we look forward to serving them with the same professionalism and commitment to excellence we provide across Suffolk County.”
SCWA Board Member John Rose added, “West Gilgo Beach has a unique character, and this agreement allows the community to maintain that while benefiting from SCWA’s resources, treatment technology and commitment to reliable public water,” Rose said. “This is exactly the type of partnership that SCWA is constantly looking to form.”
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.