NSWCA Keeps LI Water Flowing During Pandemic

June 30, 2020; Long Island, NY - The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyday life all the world over and Long Island water providers have met the challenge without exception since this terrible virus first appeared on these shores. The members of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners' Association (NSWCA), which consists of 21 voter-elected water districts and of which South Farmingdale Water District Commissioner Gary Brosnan serves as a member, have kept the water flowing to over 620,000 consumers without interruption and in compliance with all local, federal and state regulations.

Long Island's public water supply remains unaffected by the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization have confirmed that the COVID-19 virus is not waterborne and that the standard disinfection done by water suppliers as regular practices are an effective method for inactivating the COVID-19 virus. However, one important aspect has changed.

"I believe this pandemic is rewriting the dictionary on the definition of the word hero," Hicksville Water District Commissioner and NSWCA President William Schuckmann commented. "It certainly defines all the people on the front lines including medical personnel, EMTs, police, firefighters and also water technicians, field crews, supervisors and engineers – who are considered essential service providers. They aren't ordinarily thought of as heroes, but they are men and women who have risen above the call of duty, braving the dangers of this terrible pandemic on behalf of the public we serve."

President Schuckmann also stated, "I am proud of each and every one of our service men and women from all our Districts."

Fortunately, there have been no issues in carrying out the operations of supplying water to homes and businesses or to firefighting in the communities serviced by the NSWCA.

"Though the pandemic caused water providers to adapt our existing emergency procedures and protocols, our voter-elected commissioners and the superintendents throughout our member districts were able to deploy revised safety plans quickly. Implementation began without a hitch, and will continue throughout this phased-opening approach to our economy," added NSWCA Member and South Farmingdale Water District Commissioner Brosnan.

The adaptations proved highly successful. Through its public access website, www.nswcawater.org, the NSWCA posted and continues to publish urgent news and updates about COVID-19, stressing member District response and compliance. NSWCA meetings and trainings are now held virtually. Communications between all 21 commissioner-run Districts continue regularly through conference calls and emails. More information has been posted on the NSWCA intranet section regarding supply chain, rescheduling of meetings, ongoing communications and most importantly, safety of the workforce.

While all commissioner-run District offices have been closed to the public and all home visits put on hold with exception of emergencies, providing water around the clock still requires 24/7 supervision, and that in turn requires people. Safety precautions have been detailed and communicated to all workers in all member Districts in both Nassau and Suffolk, ranging from hygiene regulations and social distancing to mandatory usage of masks and gloves.

"While work plans and construction remained up to the individual Districts during NY Pause, the NSWCA advised on different kinds of split shifts and staggering work times, as well as working from different locations," added Locust Valley Water District Commissioner and NSWCA Secretary Patricia Peterson.

"Clearly this is not over yet," NSWCA President Schuckmann added categorically. "No one can predict the future and there is a high probability that some form of the coronavirus may return in the fall. If it does, the NSWCA and the other Long Island water suppliers will be prepared with refined regulations, deeper stocks of chemicals with disinfectants, as well as a battle-tested program of protocols and procedures to continue to deliver an uninterrupted supply of water to residents and businesses."

Organized and chartered in 1981, the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners' Association (NSWCA) is comprised of water commissioners from 21 Nassau County and Suffolk County water districts. The NSWCA is dedicated to promoting environmental excellence and best practices as well as maintaining the highest standards of water quality and supply. The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners' Association sponsors regular educational meetings on topics that include the environment, security, economics, rules and regulations, among other related issues.
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PHOTO CAPTION (Photo credit is courtesy of Progressive Marketing Group, which grants media permission of photo use): Pictured is South Farmingdale Water District Commissioner Gary Brosnan, who serves as a member of Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners' Association (NSWCA).