District Responds to Consumer and Environmental Concerns

The Massapequa Water District prides itself on having a knowledgeable staff that can handle the various concerns that develop during the day-to-day operations as well as those that are somewhat out of the ordinary. During this past year, it was brought to the District's attention by both consumers and local environmentalists two different situations that the District was able to handle with the aid of its consulting engineer, Sidney Bowne.

The first was brought to our attention by local environmentalists who expressed their concern about the District's practice to blow-off or the initial purging of raw water from its supply wells at the Northwest well field onto the preserve south of Jerusalem Avenue and west of Hicksville Road. This practice was originally endorsed by the preserve as it was a natural way to recharge Long Island's groundwater aquifers. However, over the years, the preserves nature trails were utilized more and more by hikers and bird watchers. This discharge of clean water onto the preserve began to affect the walking trails used by these people. Once brought to our attention, the District met with Nassau County representatives and devised a plan that would divert the blow-off water from the preserve to drainage pools on the District's property. This served two purposes, first, it eliminated the flooding of the nature trails and second, it allowed for the continued recharge of our aquifer system.

The second was brought to our attention by NYS Assemblyman Joseph Saladino on behalf of a resident located adjacent to our New York Avenue facility. They expressed concerns regarding the physical condition of the site and inquired as to what the District could do to make improvements. The District, in an effort to clean-up all of their facilities had already improved the Sunrise Highway and May Place Tank sites and had budgeted to perform improvements during 2007. Once the resident expressed her concerns the District moved the project forward. In fact, the District put forth improvements not only to the New York Avenue site but also to the Northeast Well Field. Both sites would undergo sidewalk repair/replacement and replacement of the existing chain-link fence with new ornamental fencing. Both of these projects have recently been completed.

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Preparing for Winter

Last winter was particularly harsh and a number of residents experienced frozen pipes and other related problems. The MWD encourages all residents to take a few precautions to protect from these difficulties:

  • Wrap water pipes that are exposed to outside walls with insulation and/or electric coils made
    for that purpose.
  • Outside water faucets should be shut off from inside your home, drained and left open.
  • Where faucets are prone to freezing, turn the water on to a trickle. This movement will help
    prevent freezing.
  • Drain all underground irrigation systems.
  • If you are leaving for an extended winter vacation, have a friend or neighbor check on your residence.
  • Finally, be certain all members of the household know the location of water shutoffs. This can save valuable time in case of an emergency.
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Attention: Kidney Dialysis Users

All persons using a Kidney Dialysis Machine at their residence or who require potable water for other medical treatment are encouraged to contact the Massapequa Water District offices at 516-798-5266 with a telephone number where they can be reached in case of a water supply emergency.