WH WD's Wenthen Jr. Among Commissioners to Address 1,4 Dioxane

West Hemptead, New York; June 13, 2018 - With concerns about 1,4 Dioxane receiving enormous attention across Long Island, the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA), of which West Hempstead Water District Commissioner Kenneth P Wenthen, Jr. serves as Secretary and was in attendance, welcomed Michael Levy of Greenlawn Superintendent of the Garden City Park Water District as guest speaker regarding 1,4 Dioxane issues as part of its ongoing Educational Training Series.

During the meeting, Superintendent Levy discussed implementation of a Pilot Program at the Garden City Park Water District to remove 1,4 Dioxane through a chemical reaction and UV light. The program utilizes Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP) to address low level 1,4 Dioxane contamination via an out-of-service well. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not set a standard for 1,4 Dioxane, which is commonly used in everyday household products such as cosmetics, detergents and shampoos.

Superintendent Levy explained that the Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP) chemical treatment procedures are “designed to remove organic materials in water and wastewater by oxidation through reactions with hydroxyl radicals. The primary treatment mechanism involves the reaction of UV light with hydrogen peroxide or chlorine to generate highly reactive hydroxyl radicals. Testing was performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of environmentally friendly carbon UV technologies and to help facilitate a Pilot Test Plan, which, if proved successful, will be implemented across the Garden City Park Water District.”

He also discussed how Garden City Park Water District’s Pre-Pilot testing included overcoming power issues, establishing effective chlorine dosing, and injection point relocation for the AOP Pilot Study, which was then submitted to the Nassau County Department of Health.

“Issues surrounding 1,4 Dioxane are of great concern to the public in all our 21 member districts and beyond,” NSWCA President and Westbury Water District Commissioner Vincent Abbatiello commented. “Superintendent Levy’s fact-filled presentation shed light on potential avenues of action while we await information on development of a regulatory standard for 1,4 Dioxane.”

The Garden City Park Water District serves more than 18,000 people with an infrastructure that includes over 76 miles of water main, two elevated tanks and over 7,000 connections.

Organized and chartered in 1981, the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) is comprised of water commissioners from 21 Nassau and Suffolk county water districts. The NSWCA is dedicated to promoting environmental excellence and best practices as well as to maintaining the highest standards of water quality, supply and compliance. The NSWCA sponsors regular educational meetings on topics that include conservation and the environment, sustainability, security, economics, and rules and regulations.

# # #

PHOTO CAPTION:
Pictured from left to right at a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) Meeting where Garden City Park Water District Superintendent Michael Levy served as a special guest for addressing Long Island water commissioners on 1,4 Dioxane Issues are: NSWCA Secretary and West Hempstead Water District Commissioner Kenneth P. Wenthen Jr., NSWCA Second Vice President and Hicksville Water District Commissioner William Schuckmann, Guest speaker Garden City Park Water District Superintendent Michael Levy, NSWCA President and Westbury Water District Commissioner Vincent Abbatiello, NSWCA First Vice President and Oyster Bay Water District Commissioner Michael F. Rich III, and NSWCA Treasurer and Carle Place Water District Commissioner Lawrence F. Zaino Jr.