Plainview & Hicksville WD Commissioners Among Commissioners to Hear from NYS DEC Regional Director at NSWCA Meeting

August 23, 2017; Plainview, NY/Hicksville, NY- At a recent meeting held by Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA), of which Plainview Water District Commissioner Andrew N. Bader is President and Hicksville Water District Commissioner William Schuckmann is Secretary, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Regional Director Carrie Meek Gallagher discussed a host of topics and specific actions regarding clean water, ensuring grant funding for water infrastructure needs, and reducing irrigation demand. The meeting was hosted by Port Washington Water District Commissioners David R. Brackett, Peter Meyer and Mindy Germain.

“As we seek to protect, preserve and monitor the environment and public health, testing wells, particularly those not sampled in 7-10 years, is extremely important to ensure a plentiful supply of clean water,” Ms. Gallagher said. “The DEC also plans to thoroughly review existing records, maps and other documentation pertaining to the possible use of radiological materials at former military and industrial facilities across Long Island to ascertain any information gaps and better evaluate potential impacts to public health and the environment from such past practices.”

Ms. Gallagher discussed the need for grant funding for water infrastructure improvements and the potentially huge impact of reducing irrigation demand on Long Island. “We will roll out a new and broader conservation plan in Nassau and Suffolk counties. This will include golf courses, which of course are large scale consumers of groundwater,” Ms. Gallagher added. The presentation was followed by a lively question and answer session.

“It was a pleasure having Carrie Meek Gallagher address the commissioners with such an open and informative presentation,” stated Commissioner Bader. “Conservation and sustainability are topics of vital importance to all 21 of our member Districts each and every day.”

For further information:

• Agency Contact: Mr. Jamie Stanco, Progressive Marketing Group, Inc., phone: 631-756-7160, email: jpstanco@pmgstrategic.com

• NSWCA Contact: NSWCA President Andrew N. Bader, email: abader@plainviewwater.org

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 NSWCA 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:
Pictured from left to right during a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) meeting where New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Regional Director Carrie Meek Gallagher addressed water issues with Long Island water commissioners are: NSWCA Treasurer and West Hempstead Water District Commissioner Kenneth P. Wenthen Jr., NSWCA President and Plainview Water District Commissioner Andrew N. Bader, New York State DEC Regional Director Carrie Meek Gallagher, NSWCA Secretary and Hicksville Water District Commissioner William Schuckmann, and NSWCA 2nd Vice President and Oyster Bay Water District Commissioner Michael F. Rich, III.