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Local Control Means Lower Water Rates February 9, 2010, South Farmingdale, NY — The South Farmingdale Water District today has issued a clarification and response to recent reports about dramatic differences in water costs in adjacent communities. SFWD is a public utility, run by local commissioners. The district runs a fiscally sound operation and is held accountable to the community it serves. Because it is a local government, non-profit entity, there is no profit motive. Rates are set by actual operational expenses. SFWD commissioners and some employees have life-long roots in the community, and great care is given to maintaining the highest quality of water at the lowest price possible. The facts are simple: Unlike Private water utilities, SFWD water rates are about 2% below the national average (source: American Waterworks Associations) and that the consumer water tax is less than 1.7% of the total tax bill. The South Farmingdale Water District has been maintaining and delivering an uninterrupted supply of the water to customers since 1931. To that end, the District ensures public health and safety, actively promotes the conservation of our most precious resource, cooperates with all local and New York State authorities, and pledges to fulfill this mission in an efficient, economical and environmentally sound manner. Customer service is provided to the community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. About the South Farmingdale Water District Since 1931, SFWD has been providing clean, quality water to the communities it serves, including South Farmingdale, North Massapequa, and parts of Bethpage, Seaford, and Massapequa Park. For more information please contact the South Farmingdale Water District's office at 40 Langdon Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Telephone: (516) 249-3330.
November 22, 2010, South Farmingdale, NY — The South Farmingdale Water District, South Farmingdale Fire District and North Massapequa Fire District encourage all local residents to exercise their civic duty and vote, on Tuesday, December 14, 4 to 9 p.m. Voting is one of the most precious rights we have as American citizens. Elected leaders make the decisions that help determine the quality of our everyday lives and ultimately, the quality of our future. Only through the voting process can we truly have a voice in choosing the leaders of our local communities. The annual election for water and fire commissioners will take place, on Tuesday, December 14th, 2010, from 4-9 p.m., at the North Massapequa Community Center, 214 North Albany Avenue, North Massapequa and the South Farmingdale Fire Department, 819 South Main Street, South Farmingdale. If you are unsure of which Fire District you reside in, you can easily ascertain this information by plugging in your property address at Nassau County's website www.nassaucountyny.gov. The site will also tell you your elected officials, road management authorities, Police Precinct, School District, and Sewage District. To determine your Water District, please look at your water bill or visit www.liwc.org to find a virtual map of all Districts. About the South Farmingdale Water District For more information please contact the South Farmingdale Water District's office at 40 Langdon Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Telephone: (516) 249-3330.SFWD Begins Construction of Treatment Facilities May 17, 2010, South Farmingdale, NY — The South Farmingdale Water District began construction on a new water treatment system to impede the impending plume of contamination heading towards the District. SFWD determined that it could not wait or tolerate any further delays from the United States Navy to build the necessary treatment facilities, so the District was approved for an $18 million dollar bond from the Town of Oyster Bay.
As reported by SFWD, the District was approached in November 2000 by the United States Navy regarding a widespread groundwater contamination plume flowing in a southerly direction towards several SFWD well fields. This plume is the result of soil and significant groundwater contamination containing volatile organic compounds from the Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant at Grumman in Bethpage, NY from several decades prior. The U.S. Navy agreed that if contamination from their site was identified in the outpost monitoring wells they would pay for all future costs that water suppliers would incur for the required treatment facilities or abandonment and replacement of the respective wells. The Navy developed a water contingency plan in connection with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) that resulted in the Navy constructing outpost monitoring wells upgradient of Plant 1 in SFWD. In 2004 the outpost monitoring wells upgradient of Plant 1 indicated that they were impacted by contamination from the Grumman/Naval sites at levels above the trigger values agreed to by the U.S. Navy, DEC and SFWD. The Navy had been in general accord with the necessary treatment facilities; however, final resolution and execution of the settlement agreement was not a priority within the U.S. Department of Justice until 2009. Finally late last year, after five years of deliberating, the two parties reached an agreement and the U.S. Navy settled the case with SFWD. Moving forward, the District could not defer the construction of the treatment facility any longer and wait for the Navy to provide the necessary funds to meet this critical need. The SFWD Board of Commissioners continued to express its concern that one or more of the wells could be impacted before the construction of the treatment facilities is complete. Please remember all water is safe to drink. During the course of the settlement, the District received an overwhelming amount of support from local civic leaders, Town of Oyster Bay elected officials and United States Senator Charles E. Schumer. “We’re happy with the settlement, but we’re still waiting for the check,” commented Ralph Atoria, SFWD Water Commissioner. “Our number one priority is to protect our consumers’ precious water supply and that’s why we had to bond the project so we can begin construction. It’s our responsibility to provide high quality water, and this is not a time to be reactive and wait for the Navy’s cooperation.” Construction of the treatment facility should be completed and in full operation by late spring 2011.
Local Control Means Lower Water Rates February 9, 2010, South Farmingdale, NY — The South Farmingdale Water District today has issued a clarification and response to recent reports about dramatic differences in water costs in adjacent communities. SFWD is a public utility, run by local commissioners. The district runs a fiscally sound operation and is held accountable to the community it serves. Because it is a local government, non-profit entity, there is no profit motive. Rates are set by actual operational expenses. SFWD commissioners and some employees have life-long roots in the community, and great care is given to maintaining the highest quality of water at the lowest price possible. The facts are simple: Unlike Private water utilities, SFWD water rates are about 2% below the national average (source: American Waterworks Associations) and that the consumer water tax is less than 1.7% of the total tax bill. The South Farmingdale Water District has been maintaining and delivering an uninterrupted supply of the water to customers since 1931. To that end, the District ensures public health and safety, actively promotes the conservation of our most precious resource, cooperates with all local and New York State authorities, and pledges to fulfill this mission in an efficient, economical and environmentally sound manner. Customer service is provided to the community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. About the South Farmingdale Water District Since 1931, SFWD has been providing clean, quality water to the communities it serves, including South Farmingdale, North Massapequa, and parts of Bethpage, Seaford, and Massapequa Park. For more information please contact the South Farmingdale Water District’s office at 40 Langdon Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Telephone: (516) 249-3330.
From the Desk of Charlie Prucha
Winterizing Tips During The Fall and Winter Season: Water Faucet Conservation Tips: A faucet that drips once every second can waste 8 gallons of water in one day or more than 3,000 gallons in one year. Non-conserving showerheads use 5 to 8 gallons per minute, consuming up to 80 gallons of water for a 10-minute shower. By using low flow showerheads, customers can save more than 24 gallons of water per shower, while improving faucet performance. Standard kitchen faucets use 4 to 7 gallons of water per minute, consuming up to 120 gallons of water to wash a sink full of dishes. Installing a high-efficiency faucet aerator results in a flow rate of 1 to 2.75 gallons per minute and increases the area of coverage, improving faucet performance. This reduces water usage by about 50 percent. Save Money By Using SFWD’s FREE Water Bottles! If you think about it, designer water comes from the same aquifers as regular tap water. So here’s a great way for you to save money, protect the environment from plastic bottles and skip out on buying bottled water. For the last year, the SFWD has been providing residents with FREE water bottles to fill up with great tasting tap water. Savings to the consumer can be immense. The average consumer pays about $1.46 for a 20-ounce bottle of water from a convenience store. By comparison, $1.25 pays for about 1,000 gallons of water from the SFWD tap. Using those figures, 1,000 gallons of bottled water would cost $9,344. For more information or to leave comments, suggestions or feedback, please contact me directly at: (516) 249-3330.South Farmingdale Water District Launches New and Improved Website
November 13, 2009, South Farmingdale, NY — The South Farmingdale Water District (SFWD) announced today the launch of its new and improved website at www.sfwater.com. The revamped and revised site offers a host of new online features that provide customers with the most up-to-date services and information available. Among the site’s many new technical features, navigation has been streamlined, making it much more user-friendly for customers. The newly created “Information Resource Center” provides information regarding emergency notifications, ordinances, public notices and helpful links. The SFWD site also provides downloadable PDFs of the most current drinking water quality reports and seasonal newsletters. Online visitors will also have access to topical news releases and public service announcements such as the District’s FREE water bottle program and immediate safety and maintenance alerts. As an online resource, the District provides a variety of educational information on backflow prevention devices, proper installation and usage of lawn irrigation systems and water conservation practices. According to SFWD Commissioner John Hirt, the newly revised website is a powerful tool used to stay connected to the community at large. “As a service provider, we communicate with our customers on a regular basis and it’s essential for us to create a more robust online forum which will provide information instantaneously.” About the South Farmingdale Water District Since 1931, SFWD has been providing clean, quality water to the communities it serves, including South Farmingdale, North Massapequa, and parts of Bethpage, Seaford, Massapequa Park and East Massapequa. For more information please contact the South Farmingdale Water District’s office at 40 Langdon Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Telephone: (516) 249-3330.South Farmingdale Water District Reminds Consumers of Free Water Bottle Program
Suffolk County Water Authority recently announced a similar program, which the South Farmingdale Water District has had in place for a number of years. With both utilities actively giving free water bottles to their customers, Long Island is among the leading regions nationally in the water industry to embark on such an effort. Savings to the consumer can be immense. The average consumer pays about $1.46 for a 20-ounce bottle of water from a convenience store. By comparison, $1.25 pays for about 1,000 gallons of water from the SFWD tap. Using those figures, the 1,000 gallons of bottled water would cost $9,344! SFWD provides water for over 44,000 people in South Farmingdale, and the quality and characteristics of that water has rated to be among the best in the country, surpassing government standards. Charlie Prucha, Superintendent of SFWD comments, "No water bought on the shelf can measure up to the quality of our local water supply. It is constantly monitored for quality and safety." It has long been known that plastic bottles, especially in the numbers sold, are an environmental nightmare. They are seen discarded along roadsides, in parks, and in public places as unsightly garbage. Recycling helps, although the energy consumed to process them is expensive in the light of rapidly rising fuel costs. If they are tossed in the trash, they take up vast amounts of landfill space. National figures tell us that in 2005 there were 2.3 billion bottles of water consumed in New York State alone, and 80% of those bottles were not recycled. In light of these figures, the significance of the SFWD bottle giveaway is tremendous, in savings to the consumer, in protection to our environment, and in cutting energy costs needed to manufacture and recycle commercial single-use water bottles. Superintendent Prucha also remarks, "We're glad to do our part to help the environment. How many times do you see plastic water bottles on the side of the road? That's why we urge our residents to come down to the district and request a free water bottle and fill it with the best tap water around." The free water bottles are made from recycled, non-leaching durable plastic, and can be used many times. All that is required is a simple washing to keep them reusable. Residents can pick-up their free water bottle at the water district’s main office at 40 Langdon Road, in Farmingdale. There is a limit of two water bottles per household. For more information, contact the district at (516) 249-3330. SFWD Alert: Help Keep Fire Hydrants Visible December 22, 2008, South Farmingdale, NY - South Farmingdale Water District officials urgently request that citizens keep fire hydrants clear of snow and other obstructions this winter. Weather predictions are warning us to brace for severe snow and ice during the upcoming months. These conditions can quickly cover fire hydrants, making it difficult for firefighters to find them in an emergency situation. The time lost while searching for a nearby hydrant can cost lives as well as property loss, so keeping them easy to see is an important public safety issue. SFWD requests residents to be aware of neighborhood hydrants during snowy weather and to remove snow around them so they can be seen from all directions. It is necessary to keep the area around them clear and the snow brushed off so they are easily visible to emergency personnel. The SFWD supports an aggressive maintenance program at every level of operation. An important example is the ongoing maintenance of our fire hydrants, a public safety measure often taken for granted. Hydrants require regular painting to remain visible to firefighters and traffic. The District repainted all hydrants recently in preparation for this coming winter. The SFWD also routinely tests all hydrants for performance, inspect them for leaks, and flush them to keep maximum pressure. Our technicians are trained to respond to any damage, leaks or accidents. The District believes that this attention to detail and accent on public safety is a major advantage to local management and control of our water district. The water commissioners commented, “We live in the South Farmingdale Water District, and we are highly aware of fiscal, safety and operational issues that affect us all. We respond to and manage the water supply from a deep sense of personal responsibility to our community. Our maintenance program stays within our annual budget, and we thank all our consumers in advance for their cooperation in keeping fire hydrants visible this winter.” For more information please contact the South Farmingdale Water District’s office at 40 Langdon Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Telephone: (516) 249-3330.
November 9, 2009, South Farmingdale, NY — The South Farmingdale Water District, South Farmingdale Fire District and North Massapequa Fire District encourage all local residents to exercise their civic duty and vote, on Tuesday, December 8th, 2009. Voting is one of the most precious rights we have as American citizens. Elected leaders make the decisions that help determine the quality of our everyday lives and ultimately, the quality of our future. Only through the voting process can we truly have a voice in choosing the leaders of our local communities. The annual election for water and fire commissioners will take place, on Tuesday, December 8th, 2009, from 4-9 p.m., at the North Massapequa Fire Department headquarters, located at Broadway and Albany Avenue, North Massapequa; and the South Farmingdale Firehouse, 819 S. Main St., South Farmingdale. If you are unsure of which Fire District you reside in, you can easily ascertain this information by plugging in your property address at Nassau County's website www.nassaucountyny.gov. The site will also tell you your elected officials, road management authorities, Police Precinct, School District, and Sewage District. To determine your Water District, please look at your water bill or visit www.liwc.org to find a virtual map of all Districts. About the South Farmingdale Water District For more information please contact the South Farmingdale Water District’s office at 40 Langdon Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Telephone: (516) 249-3330.
Conservation Counts Within our District we enjoy some of the best water in the country, and it costs 2% less than the national average. And with your help, we can keep it that way! Following are some tips for water use and conservation that will help safeguard our water supply while still helping you water your lawns and gardens. Watering Your Lawn Backflow Prevention Devices A Backflow Prevention Device prevents contamination of the public water supply, so that water from the district wells remains potable and suitable for human use. The Device must be tested annually and certified to be functioning properly. One of our responsibilities at The District is to test your residential backflow device FOR FREE! Commercial accounts must hire an independent backflow tester. In both accounts, if the device needs repair, the owner must hire a plumber and is responsible to pay for the parts and labor. An application is available at our office located at 40 Langdon Road. For more information on Backflow Prevention Devices or to leave comments, suggestions or feedback on any other subject regarding your water supply, we urge our consumers to call (516) 249-3330.U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) Tells United States Navy to Step Up To The Plate South Farmingdale Water District Receives Senator's Support and Urges Navy To Fulfill its Commitment to Pay For Capital and Operating Costs Associated with Proposed Water Treatment Plants in South Farmingdale.
The United States Navy operated the Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant in Bethpage, New York for several decades that resulted in soil and significant groundwater contamination containing volatile organic compounds. The SFWD was approached in November 2000 by the United States Navy relative to a widespread groundwater contamination plume* flowing in a southerly direction toward several SFWD well fields. The Navy developed a water contingency plan in connection with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) that resulted in the Navy constructing outpost monitoring wells upgradient of Plants 1 and 3 in SFWD. The Navy agreed that if contamination from their site was identified in the outpost monitoring wells that they would pay for all future costs that the water suppliers would incur for the required treatment facilities or abandonment and replacement of the respective wells. In 2004, the outpost monitoring wells upgradient of Plants 1 and 3 indicated that they were impacted by contamination from the naval plant site at levels above the trigger values agreed to by the Navy, DEC and SFWD. The SFWD has been pursuing a settlement with the Navy for nearly five years and while the Navy has been in general accord with the necessary treatment facilities, final resolution and execution of the settlement agreement has simply not been a priority within the US Department of Justice. This concerns the officials at SFWD because the contaminants are "knocking on our door," in the words of Business Manager Len Constantinopoli.
The water treatment systems proposed would provide the same quality of water consumers enjoy today, but action has to take place as soon as possible. The District cannot defer the construction of treatment facilities any longer waiting for the United States Navy to provide the funds needed to meet this critical need. While the SFWD Board of Commissioners intends to work diligently with Senator Schumer's office to expedite the final agreement with the U.S. Navy, two plans of action have been put into effect by the District to protect its water supply and to shield its consumers from paying for the treatment facility. First, SFWD has been approved to bond up to $18 million to begin design and construction of the necessary treatment facilities. If the treatment facilities are not constructed in time, there is the potential that SFWD would need to close down or restrict wells at Plant Nos. 1 and 3. The four wells at these two sites provide nearly 40% of the District's well capacity, which are needed to meet existing water supply and fire flow demands. The loss of any of these wells could adversely impact SFWD's ability to meet peak and emergency pumping requirements, thereby impacting the ability to deliver an adequate water supply to its 45,000 consumers. While the District would prefer to have the money in hand from the Navy prior to building the treatment facilities, it can no longer tolerate any further delays and must proceed with the project. All proceeds associated with the capital cost portion of the settlement will be used to pay for treatment, thereby minimizing any cost burden on its taxpayers. Second, The District met with civic associations and asked for their help. These community-minded groups provided a tremendous amount of support and positive action that has helped augment SFWD efforts during these proceedings. With the help of Senator Schumer, the SFWD Board of Water Commissioners, elected officials and civic organizations, SFWD is looking for the US Department of Justice to resolve this matter quickly and without hesitation. For more information please contact the South Farmingdale Water District's office at 40 Langdon Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Telephone: (516) 249-3330. *The Plume is 12,100 feet long, 9,600 feet wide and 580 feet deep. South Farmingdale Water District Succeeds: No New Taxes In New 2009 Budget In a powerful demonstration of how local control can successfully manage and implement utility budgets, the South Farmingdale Water District (SFWD) announced that its new budget has no tax increases for residents. This is the 3rd consecutive year the SFWD contained costs and conserved tax dollars in the budget. The announcement is good news for taxpayers in a year of financial uncertainties, rising costs on basic commodities such as gasoline, and the struggles that Nassau County is having in trying to balance its budget. Significantly, all current projects to improve efficiency and maintain high quality standards will stay in place, without compromise and without increased costs. Unfounded claims have been made that big government control will improve service and cut costs. There are major flaws in those assertions, and the new budget proves that local control means a high level of care, accountability, and efficiency. Some little-known facts are that SFWD water rates are about 2% below the national average (source: American Water Works Associations) and that the consumers’ water tax is less than 1.7% of their total tax bill. Commissioner Ralph Atoria notes, "It is our fiscal responsibility as public servants to work within our budgets and protect our district and the local tax payer. We've done this for over 75 years and we will continue to provide the same excellent service for years to come." For more information please contact the South Farmingdale Water District's office at 40 Langdon Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Telephone: (516) 249-3330.
During this time of year it's always important to give thanks to family and friends. On behalf of the South Farmingdale Water District, we thank you, our loyal customers, for supporting us for over 75 years! As always, the #1 concern of the District is public health and safety, and we unequivocally stand behind our mission to deliver plentiful water that exceeds national standards to our consumers at a reasonable cost. Since 1931, SFWD has safeguarded our community by maintaining adequate water storage reserves, especially for fire protection purposes, and we are extremely vigilant in protecting our supply from all potential sources of contamination. The SFWD actively promotes water conservation and cooperates with all local and New York State authorities. Lower Costs: Ongoing Maintenance: Plant 5-1 Online: New Emergency Notification System: Advanced Technology: Local Control: As always, the SFWD welcomes your comments, suggestions and feedback. Please feel free to contact me at (516) 249-3330. Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with those that you love.
The South Farmingdale Water District has announced the appointment of Gary Brosnan to the position of Water Commissioner. Mr. Brosnan will serve as Secretary, and his long history of community service and clear knowledge of issues affecting the district amply qualify him for his new duties. Mr. Brosnan has been a volunteer for the North Massapequa Fire Department for a total of 25 years, eight of those years he served as Fire Chief. His commitment to the community and its residents is exemplified in his volunteer work, and he's lived in the North Massapequa for 40 years. A soft spoken man with a strong vision of the job ahead, Mr. Brosnan commented, "Of the many responsibilities on my desk, I consider one of the most pressing tasks is to work with the government, the Department of Defense and our legal team to carry out the project of a filtration system to protect our future water supply. South Farmingdale Water District continues to be ranked among the top water suppliers by national standards, and we are committed to maintaining this level of service indefinitely." "I am honored to be appointed Commissioner and Secretary, and feel privileged to be in a position where I can play an active role in providing the best water service and product possible." For more information please contact the South Farmingdale Water District's office at 40 Langdon Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Telephone: (516) 249-3330.
South Farmingdale Water District Asks Customers To Do Their Part and Help Conserve Water During this time of extreme heat, the South Farmingdale Water District urges all of its residents to conserve water whenever possible. Though Long Island is not suffering from a drought, below are some helpful hints for residents to take into consideration during the dog days of summer: "During the summer months, it's important for residents (and businesses) to try to conserve water as much as possible," said Ralph Atoria, Commissioner, South Farmingdale Water District. "We're not necessarily asking people to change their lifestyle, but be more conscious about water consumption. When our customers do their part to conserve water, it helps in our effort to keep our water rates down to a minimal cost." Reminder: According to Nassau County code, lawn watering may be done only on even days if your street address is an even number, and only on odd days if your address is an odd number. Also, county code prohibits you from watering your lawn between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Liberty Superfund Site Decision Benefits South Farmingdale and Massapequa Water Districts and its Consumers April 28, 2008, South Farmingdale, NY – After years of legal negotiations, South Farmingdale Water District and Massapequa Water District have reached a settlement over the Liberty Superfund Site. The Principle Responsible Parties (PRPs) will reimburse the South Farmingdale and Massapequa Water Districts for the costs of permits, construction, design, sampling, and installation of the outpost monitoring wells, which were installed by the two water districts in 1997. The outpost monitoring wells were placed upstream from Plant #2 Site on Lourae Drive, South Farmingdale. The monitoring wells provide an early warning system to alert both Districts if contamination from the U.S. EPA Superfund Site at the Liberty Industrial Site was approaching – therefore enabling the Districts to react to potentially contaminated water in an expedient amount of time. The last round of sampling showed absolutely no signs of contamination from the site, but both Districts will continue to monitor the situation. The Liberty Site has been the focus of cooperative activity for cleanup for decades. The South Farmingdale Water District and Massapequa Water District jointly worked on the project, to control costs and protect the taxpayer. The mission of the South Farmingdale Water District has always been to protect the taxpayers in its community from bearing the cost of cleanup operations, as well as to ensure a high quality water supply now and for future generations. The commissioners want to assure community members that they will continue to be vigilant in carrying out this objective. Local residents requesting more information are invited to contact the South Farmingdale Water District's office at 40 Langdon Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Telephone: (516) 249-3330, or visit www.sfwater.com.
I'm proud to say that for over 75 years, the South Farmingdale Water District has produced and delivered extremely high quality water at prices that rank lowest among most public services. As ‘cost-to-consumer' for other utilities climb year after year, South Farmingdale customers can rest assured that access to safe and reliable water is stabilized at only about a dollar a day, significantly less than most homeowners' costs for telephone, cable, Internet service, heat or electricity. Besides being the lowest priced utility, water accounts for the lowest portion of a town resident's tax bill when compared with other services. If fact, the average homeowner contributes an extremely low percentage (less than 1.7%) of their annual taxes to their local water supplier, as compared to over 60% for schools. Our water district personnel are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to ensure that safe drinking water is available to you at all times. The District's team of dedicated and knowledgeable water service providers acts as a safeguard against any possible contaminations, and they are prepared to repair water main breaks at a moment's notice. We are here to serve you. So if you have any questions, concerns, comments or suggestions, contact us by phone anytime at (516) 249-3330, or visit our website at www.sfwater.com and click on the ‘Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)', or contact us by email.
South Farmingdale Water District (SFWD) has appointed Charlie Prucha as its new Superintendent. Mr. Prucha was awarded the position based on his experience with the District, where he amassed a comprehensive knowledge of the operations, plans and personnel over the past 30 years. Prior to this appointment, he was named General Foreman in 2003 with the duty of overseeing all pump operations, meter readings, repairs, water sampling, restoration and general maintenance. He started his career in 1978 as a Water Plant Operator Trainee, learning operational fundamentals by performing routine maintenance duties. In 1983, he earned his New York State 2A Pump Operators License, which paved the way for his promotion to Water Plant Servicer and later, Water Plant Operator in 1991. Mr. Prucha has also attained New York State’s highest operators license, a 1A-SW/GUI Water Systems Operator’s License. Our mission is to serve our customers with the highest level of integrity and value...and we believe that nobody does it better than a neighborhood water district,” adds Prucha. “Equally important is the leadership role we play in promoting water conservation, which comes through education and awareness. We also make sure our equipment is in tip-top shape, and we embrace new technology as it’s made available.” Mr. Prucha is a firm believer in simple and direct solutions, and points out that most issues are resolved quickly. “The beauty of local water supply control is that we can address any customer issue immediately, with minimal bureaucracy and red tape,” he says. Mr. Prucha also comments on District employees’ community involvement, “Most employees reside in the district and are very active in other community activities. In fact, all three SFWD water commissioners are volunteer firemen.” Born in Elmhurst, Queens, Mr. Prucha moved to Uniondale at age 4, then to Farmingdale in 1975. He now resides in Lindenhurst with his wife Margaret, and two daughters, Kimberley Dawn, 16, and Jessica Marie, 14. For more information, contact the South Farmingdale Water District’s office at 40 Langdon Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Telephone: (516) 249-3330. South Farmingdale Water District Releases 2006 Drinking Water Quality Report July 12, 2007, South Farmingdale, NY — The South Farmingdale Water District has released their 2006 Drinking Water Quality Report, and is happy to announce that they have passed all standards, above and beyond all federal and state requirements and criteria. The report is required to be delivered to all residents of the district in compliance with federal and state regulations. Compiled by a local engineering firm H2M, it is designed to inform all district residents about the quality of the water and services delivered daily. “The water district’s continuing goal is to provide our customers with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water each and every day,” said John Hirt, Commissioner of the South Farmingdale Water District. “We’re happy to report that there are no violations of any drinking water standards. We encourage our customers to request a copy of the report and share it with others.” The report includes information such as: cost of water, daily water rates, water conservation measures, a table of detected parameters and water treatment, and water quality statistics. If you did not receive a copy of the 2006 Drinking Water Quality Report, or if you would like to receive an additional free copy and supplemental data, contact the South Farmingdale Water District’s office at 40 Langdon Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Telephone: (516) 249-3330. The South Farmingdale Water District's annual election is Tuesday, December 11, 2007. Voting will take place from 4pm to 9pm at two different locations. North Massapequa Firehouse Headquarters South Farmingdale Firehouse For more information, contact the South Farmingdale Water District’s office at 40 Langdon Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Telephone: (516) 249-3330. As a water commissioner of the South Farmingdale Water District, I want to take this moment to congratulate John Hirt on his re-election to another three-year term as a SFWD commissioner. I've had the fortunate opportunity to work with John for many years, and I'm delighted to continue serving alongside him. I also want to congratulate Kurt Ludwig on being elected for an unexpired 1-year term. Kurt brings a tremendous amount of experience in governmental affairs to the water district, and he will be a valuable asset to our water commissioner team. I'm looking forward to working with both men as our five-year capital improvement plan continues. We are currently in the third year of our program, and we have reached and exceeded all of our goals to date. Our consumers are important to us and we stand by our commitment to provide the best possible water supply. Both John and Kurt have excellent managerial and leadership qualities that our staff and consumers will greatly benefit from. Best Wishes Ralph Atoria, Treasurer
From The Desk Of… As Superintendent of the South Farmingdale Water District (SFWD), it is my privilege and duty to keep you, our consumer, informed about issues that directly affect all of us regarding our water supply. And I feel it is my civic duty to provide you with helpful hints and tips to winterize your home during the cold winter months. With winter here, the temperature will start to drop and the possibility of snow is drawing near. We all take care to dress warmly, and we winterize our cars to protect against this weather. So in the same spirit, we urge you to take some simple steps to protect your home and water system against winter’s bite. Frozen water pipes can lead to loss of water supply, and once frozen, these pipes can expand and break. This is an expense we all want to avoid, therefore we suggest you… There are also a number of fire and emergency safety tips to be aware of as well. Deep snow accumulation can hide fire hydrants. On occasion snowplows push snow over them covering hydrants completely. Life saving seconds can be wasted if local fire fighters can't find or hook up to a hydrant during an emergency. If you have a hydrant on or near your property, keep it clear of snow if you are able. If you can’t shovel it out to clear it, call us at (516) 249-3330 and we’ll be arrange for it to be cleared. We are here to serve you, so if you have any winterizing questions or concerns, contact the SFWD by phone anytime (516) 249-3330, or visit our informative website: www.sfwater.com. Stay warm and have a safe winter!
It is no exaggeration to say that when Gerard McCormack passed away on June 27th, an irreplaceable man of major contributions left us.
As printed in the Massapequa Observer and The Farmingdale Observer... From The Desk Of…
From The Desk Of…
The Nassau County Code has helped by setting very clear, easy-to-follow legal guidelines:
Please know that non-compliance to these county laws can lead to a fine enforceable by county police. South Farmingdale Water District Releases 2004 Drinking Water Quality Report Water Passes All Standards With Positive Results The South Farmingdale Water District announces the release of their 2004 Drinking Water Quality Report as part of its Spring 2005 newsletter. Water District Rolls Out Capital Improvement Program The South Farmingdale Water District (SFWD) last week unveiled a five-year capital improvement program that’s designed to enhance key service and distribution areas over the immediate and long-term future. With overall funding already in place, the program is in its initial stages with work presently being conducted in three key areas. Water Main Replacement “This project began in March and was finished during the summer season on time and on budget with minimal disruptions to traffic flow, water delivery or quality,” said Commissioner Gerard McCormack. “A priority of the district is to not inconvenience our customers. We made sure we followed through on our promise.” New Well At Plant #2 Had the new site not been installed, SFWD would have faced expensive repairs and upgrades at the site just to bring it within performance standard. Back Up Generators and Increased Security New generators will be embedded within the district’s network…such as the ones that were put to the test during the infamous blackout of August, 2003. As Commissioner McCormack commented, “That event put us in a position to implement our emergency response plan and it passed with flying colors. Our backup generators kicked in to keep our water flowing, and our customers continued to receive the kind of service and quality they were accustomed to on a daily basis.” Security measures will also be increased to safeguard the water supply. Though he didn’t elaborate, McCormack said the district has specific plans and protocols in place that have raised a protective net around potentially vulnerable assets. Water District, Civic Leaders Confer On Local Groundwater Issue The South Farmingdale Water District, together with environmental engineers from The H2M Group, has initiated a series of public forums in an effort to maintain clarity over a groundwater issue being monitored along the district’s northern boundary. Representatives from three local civic groups were among those who participated in the first session. The discussions center on the existence of an underground plume of chemical solvents that is moving toward two of the utility’s well stations. Engineers expect the plume to encroach upon the well sites within the next 10 years and have already prepared remediation plans. The plume is composed of volatile organic compounds or solvents once used to break down grease at the former Grumman Aerospace plant and Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant sites in Bethpage. It reportedly originated in the 1940s during aircraft manufacturing activities at the time, prior to more stringent environmental codes for on-site waste management. The site is now owned by Northrop-Grumman, a major contractor to the U.S. Navy. Details concerning the plume and its ramifications were presented to area civic leaders at the district’s headquarters earlier this month. Representatives from the Concerned Citizens Assoc. of Farmingdale, Citizens for Pure Water, and the North Massapequa Civic Association were given a full report on the plume’s history along with a preliminary view over precautionary measures being taken to safeguard the water supply long-term. “The first message consumers need to understand is this; the water quality in the South Farmingdale Water District is absolutely safe and in excellent quality,” said Gerald McCormack, Commissioner. “What we are doing today with our monitoring activities and other efforts is aimed at maintaining that assurance long term.” To negate the plume’s affect on the area’s water supply, the district intends to use filtration technology in the field, the costs of which are being discussed in negotiations between the district and the U.S. Navy. “The district is orchestrating a concerted effort to minimize any negative impact this plume may have on the quality of our water supply and costs to our taxpayers for treatment,” McCormack said. “Our goal is to insulate our consumers from any costs associated with this situation.” Additional public meetings will be scheduled as further details emerge. Anyone interested in learning more can contact the district at (516) 249-3330. From the Office of Gerard McCormack…
I also want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone for re-electing me to the post of Water Commissioner. It is an honor to be part of this district for all these years, and even a greater honor to continue to serve its most important needs. As promised, I will continue to work hard to finish existing projects and to press on to address future needs and meet the goals of the district. Thank you once again, and I wish the very best to all of our customers. Gerard F. McCormack District Business Manager Elected to Chair the Long Island Water Conference
The appointment, announced in March, puts Constantinopoli at the center of a network of 45 water utilities in Nassau and Suffolk counties. He will lead the LIWC in its ongoing efforts to provide safe water to 2.7 million consumers at the most cost-effective rates available. He will also supervise the development of educational programs for members and consumers alike, and maintain contact with local, regional and federal lawmakers on issues affecting water conservation and groundwater protection. Constantinopoli has been active within LIWC for 15 years. In 2003,he was the First Vice Chairman and he has served on the organization’s legislative and public relations committees. His new position will not dilute his value as Business Manager for the South Farmingdale Water District, a post he’s held since 1989. “I’ve been working within budgets for over 15 years,” he said shortly after learning of his new duties. “Budgeting my time will not be a problem, and I look forward to my new responsibilities.” Water District Commissioner Says Backup Systems Are Ready
“The blackout we experienced in August put us in a position to implement our emergency response plan and it passed with flying colors,” Hirt said. “Our backup generators kicked in to keep our water flowing, and our customers continued to receive the kind of service and quality they are accustomed to on a daily basis. I’m very proud of our response and of the people within the district who did their part to ensure it.” Contingency planning has been a key component within the district’s culture since its formation in 1931, and it undergoes continuous upgrading in order to remain viable at all times. In fact, the district runs routine drills to evaluate its responsiveness to potential emergencies, security threats, or catastrophic events. Some of the more recent protocols were implemented after the September 11 terrorist attacks on American soil. Security upgrades were implemented at all well sites, pumping stations, electrical facilities and water towers shortly after the district performed an extensive “Vulnerability Assessment.” “Day and night, 24/7, our teams are trained and prepared to handle any emergency situation,” Hirt said. “If we suspect anything, a lock-down occurs immediately, and we survey our entire system to make sure everything is 100% secure.” Much of the success of these plans is also attributable to the vigilance and cooperation received among the district’s customers, Hirt added. “In times of droughts and other events, our consumers demonstrate their willingness to conserve water,” he said. “That makes our job much easier.” For more information, contact the South Farmingdale Water District’s office at 40 Langdon Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Telephone: (516) 249-3330. New South Farmingdale Water District Superintendent Takes Office
Bier began his career with the water district in 1974, starting as a water plant attendant, where he was involved in general water plant maintenance. Bier took several water operator courses and was subsequently certified at various operator levels through a licensing process overseen by the State Department of Health. As his career progressed, Bier was promoted through the ranks to water servicer, water plant operator and water servicer operator until 1989, when he became water servicer supervisor, a post he held until January 1st of this year when he took over as superintendent, succeeding Al Licci. “As superintendent, I now have direct responsibility for the day- to-day coordination of water services throughout the district. A major part of my time will be spent ensuring monthly water sampling reports are submitted to the state and county as required by law,” said Bier. He will also oversee maintenance of all pumps in service, and ensure the district keeps up with emerging technologies for treating water. “Fortunately, there have been no harmful chemicals detected in our water, so no special treatment is currently required,” added Bier. Another goal for Bier is to increase awareness throughout the district of the importance of water conservation. Although the county already has odd-even water restrictions, Bier believes it’s important to educate water users – commercial and residential – about some of the simple steps they can take to help conserve water. “It’s much easier to promote to people the importance of conserving water than to legislate those activities,” commented Bier. The district works with Progressive Marketing Group, Inc., a strategic marketing organization, to disseminate information about water conservation through their web site (www.sfwater.com) and a semi-annual newsletter. The water district also participates in National Drinking Water Week, an annual event held locally at the Broadway Mall in Hicksville in May of each year. According to Bier, questions or concerns regarding the district’s water supply can be directed to the Water District office at 516-249-3330. “The office and support staff will be happy to answer questions and help in any way we can,” said Bier. For more information, contact the South Farmingdale Water District • Bill Bier, District Superintendent • Tel: (516) 249-3330 • 40 Langdon Road • Farmingdale, NY 11735. State Study Echoes Water District’s Position on Quality, Safety South Farmingdale, NY – The focus placed on water quality and safety in a newly issued study by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) earned high marks from the South Farmingdale Water District, despite the supplier’s criticisms concerning some of the language and methodologies used in the assessment. In response to this week’s unveiling of the state’s Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) by state health department officials, SFWD officials said they agree with the SWAP commitment to maintaining safe sources of drinking water. The program, they said, demonstrates a common vision both suppliers and regulatory agencies have always had toward long-term water consumption. “We acknowledge and appreciate the significant undertaking by the New York state and local county health departments and their consultants in preparing SWAP,” said William Bier, Superintendent of the SFWD. “Each state is required to conduct thorough assessments of the sources of water used by public drinking water systems, which is consistent with current procedures and policies at SFWD.” Throughout its history, the SFWD has pioneered and implemented numerous practices to ensure water quality and safety on behalf of the utility’s customers. This includes work done in conjunction with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the NYSDOH, as well as with the neighboring Massapequa Water District, and other organizations. “The SWAP initiative simply adds more teeth to a well-entrenched quality assurance program,” Bier added. Nevertheless, SWAP should not be viewed as a worthy assessment of the district’s water quality. In fact, some of the language with which the report was written might provide more misinformation than the program was designed to offer. It also draws certain forecasts based on computer modeling that may not have been drawn from accurate, up-to-date data. “The value of SWAP, assuming all of the data is correct, will at best provide scenarios for possible contamination over time from existing land use,” Bier said. “This information is speculative and must be supplemented by other activities water suppliers are currently engaged in order to be truly helpful and accurate. We function in a world of realities, and the reality is our drinking water is safe because of the work we’ve done and will continue to do to ensure it remains that way for the next 100 years and beyond.” Background on SFWD’s water quality assurance and some key milestones is available through the district’s office and in the "About Us" section of this web site. Briefly though, the district has a long track record in monitoring key water sources, and has provided appropriate treatment or corrective actions whenever potential contamination issues arose. Some of these projects included:
The district has also been a charter member of a technical advisory committee dedicated to the Navy Northrop/Grumman site designated as a NYSDEC Superfund site. It also has performed vulnerability assessments in security measures and protocols developed in response to post 9/11 homeland security guidelines. For more information, contact the South Farmingdale Water District • William Bier, District Superintendent • Tel: 516.249.3330 • 40 Langdon Road • Farmingdale, NY 11735. Water District Offers Assurance To Consumers: Safeguards Are In Place Concern and wariness have a new place in our minds following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S.A. But the South Farmingdale Water District (SFWD) wants its consumers to feel secure with the notion that local water supplies are being safeguarded with every protocol available. “The attacks in New York and Washington, and more recent incidents of Anthrax in our U.S. cities have left most of us with a justified sense of concern. For us in the water district, that concern has driven us toward added vigilance which extends into working relationships with agencies outside the water district itself, including law enforcement, fire departments and others,” said Gerard McCormack, District Commissioner. “The district has a multi-tiered strategy in place that is designed to protect our water from contamination, be it deliberate or otherwise, and as an added precaution, we have increased the frequency of water testing throughout our service areas." In the unlikely event of an emergency, residents and businesses will be notified immediately through local broadcast and cablecast media as well as by mail. In addition, all water consumers are invited to contact the district’s office should they have questions or concerns about water quality or safety. For more information, contact the SFWD office at 40 Langdon Rd., Farmingdale, NY 11735. Tel: (516) 249-3330.
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November 8, 2009, South Farmingdale, NY — 
December 31, 2008, South Farmingdale, NY — United States Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and the South Farmingdale Water District (SFWD) today issued a strong request for the United Sates Navy and Department of Justice to immediately follow through on the Navy's obligation to pay for the capital and operating costs necessary to build and operate water treatment facilities at two South Farmingdale public water supply sites that will be impacted by contamination.
In the interim, the SFWD Board of Commissioners have continued to express their concern that one or more of the District's wells may be impacted before it can design and construct the treatment facilities that all parties have agreed are necessary, despite the fact that currently, all water served by the District is safe to drink.
The Board of Commissioners officially announced the 75th anniversary of the South Farmingdale Water District (SFWD) and pledges to uphold and maintain the same quality water and customer service that has been the hallmark of the utility since its inception.
I’d like to thank everyone in the South Farmingdale District who came out to vote this year in the water commissioner’s election. The community showed real unity, strength and concern by showing up at the voting booths, and I am proud to be numbered among you in caring for our community.
Customers of the South Farmingdale Water District have an inside man when it comes to water supply issues in Nassau and Suffolk counties. That would be Leonard Constantinopoli, newly elected Chairman of the Long Island Water Conference 
The water will be there without interruption if and when the power goes out. That’s the message John Hirt, Water Commissioner for South Farmingdale Water District wants the utility’s customers to know. And given its success during the recent blackout, the district appears to have its contingency plans well prepared and its backup systems properly equipped for such emergencies.
Bill Bier, the newly appointed water district superintendent, is no stranger to the water district – or to South Farmingdale, for that matter. As a 29-year employee of the water district, a lifelong South Farmingdale resident and a former South Farmingdale fire chief, Bier has been involved in protecting the health and welfare of the local community for most of his adult life.