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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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| ©2006 Progressive Marketing Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Duplication without prior permission from Progressive Marketing Group, Inc. is strictly prohibited. |
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.