WESTHAMPTON, NY — In another move forward for the Suffolk County Water Authority's Westhampton Water Main Extension project, spokesman Nick LaLota recently said it had secured $1.25 million to provide safe water to residents.
“Every American has a right to safe, reliable and clean drinking water. I was proud to secure $1.25 million for the Suffolk County Water Authority to help mitigate PFAS contamination in Westhampton, as well as millions to support similar projects infrastructure across Suffolk County and protect our water,” said LaLota. “Ensuring that this funding can directly benefit Long Island families is essential to my work in Washington. Putting Suffolk County first has always been and will continue to be my guiding light in Congress.”
The project funding will enable the extension of the water mains for 64 homes in the Old Country Road area of Westhampton. The homes are in a Suffolk County Department of Health Services investigation area for PFAS. The project will provide homes with access to clean water, with drinking water tested frequently, officials said.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, polyfluoroalkyl substances — known as PFAS — are found in water, air, fish and soil. scientific studies have shown that exposure to certain PFASs in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals, the EPA said.
“We are deeply grateful to Rep. LaLota for his advocacy for the Westhampton community,” said Charlie Lefkowitz, chairman of the Suffolk County Water Authority. “Clean drinking water is the right of every New Yorker, but making these projects affordable is critical to access to this resource. Residents in Westhampton face the uncertainty that comes when their private wells are contaminated with PFAS. They cannot to trust The water they drink Thanks to this funding we will soon be able to extend high-quality public water to these families, giving them peace of mind every time they turn on the tap.”
Funding for the Suffolk County Water Authority is provided by the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill, which was signed into law in March, LaLotta said.
Westhampton has been at the forefront of water quality improvements in recent years, announcing positive news about a sewer connection to the downtown business district in March 2023.
Last year, a “First Flush” ceremony was held at the Westhampton Free Library, with elected officials and others on hand for the momentous event.
The “First Flush” event celebrated the completion of the long-awaited project connecting the village's business district to the county's wastewater treatment plant at the Frances S. Gabreski Airport. Connecting the drainage area allows downtown Westhampton Beach to continue to expand and attract new businesses, including restaurants, as well as the creation of apartments where none could exist before.
The connection also works to protect both water quality by preventing nitrogen from entering the groundwater, officials said.
“This is an important project for the village, both for the environment and for the revitalization of downtown,” longtime Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore, who was mayor of Westhampton Beach Village at the time, argued. “It will eliminate about 5,000 pounds of nitrogen per year, reducing waste to Moniebogue Bay by 24%. And it will allow downtown restrictions to be reduced.”
Moore said a study provided by Stony Brook scientist Dr. Christopher Gobler, in the initial planning stages of the project presented the enhanced environmental protections and improved water quality that would follow. Gobler initially reported that the system would reduce nitrogen content in the bay by 5,000 pounds. yearly.
In 2018, then-Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone signed legislation approving an agreement with the village to connect its business district and two condominium complexes to the county's wastewater treatment plant located at Gabreski Airport.
Westhampton Beach officials initially considered building a new sewage treatment plant in the village, but ultimately decided it would be too costly. A sewer consultant had estimated the village would save about $7.4 million by contributing to the expansion of the county's treatment plant, known as Suffolk County Sewer District 24, which currently serves Gabreski Airport, the Air National Guard base and the companies located in Hampton. Business District, Moore explained.
The county's treatment facility at Gabreski Airport required modifications to accommodate the additional sewage from Westhampton Beach. The wastewater treatment plant used the $1.8 million connection fee from the village to offset the cost of the modification, which increased the plant's capacity by 50 percent, village officials said.
The development of the drainage followed the project of reconstruction and revitalization of the main street.
