Author: Jessica Rubano

Over the past few years we’ve met the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s goal of reducing water usage by 15 percent during the peak months of May through September. We implemented a conservation plan and your continuous efforts helped achieve our collective objectives.

As you can see by the above graphic, GCPWD pumps nearly 5 times the amount of water during a typical summer day than a typical day during winter. Below are helpful reminders and conservation tips for your home and business to help us reduce water usage this season!

Lawn, Landscape and Garden Irrigation

Watering is PROHIBITED between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Remember to follow Nassau County’s irrigation ordinance:

• Odd-numbered homes may water on odd-numbered days.
• Even-numbered homes may water on even-numbered days.
• Premises without numbered addresses may water on even-numbered days.

Outdoor Water Usage

• Check all outside hoses and connections for leaks and possible winter damage.
• Stop wasting water. Install a springloaded shutoff nozzle on each garden hose.
• Keep your lawn length approximately 2 inches. This reduces evaporation and will require less watering.
• Leave grass clippings on your lawn. This boosts water retention and will help your lawn grow thicker.

Indoor Water Usage

• Check appliances for leaks. Common leaks waste 10% of the water used in many homes.
• Replace old toilets. Toilet flushing is the top water user in the home.
• Run your dishwashers and washing machines only when they are fully loaded.
• Turn off your faucet when brushing your teeth, washing your hands and dishes. Why waste water?

When potable drinking water is involved, facing potential situations before they happen is the smartest and most prudent course. That’s why your Garden City Park Water District is addressing concerns about emerging contaminants now by taking proactive measures.

“We’re proceeding with Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) reactors in Wells 6 and 9,” Water Commissioner Chris Engel stated. “Preventive treatment puts us ahead of the curve. Things may look a bit messy during construction, yet this is our tax payer dollars at work. Pilot studies indicated introducing Advance Oxidation is the best avenue to assuring present and future water quality.”

Construction of the AOP reactors at Well 9 began in fall 2019, and Well 6 began in February 2020. Construction is slated to continue throughout this summer.

What is AOP?

Technically speaking, oxidation is a reaction that involves the moving of electrons in a substance. Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) is a highly regarded solution that removes organic and inorganic materials from drinking water. The primary treatment mechanism involves the reaction of UV light with a strong oxidizing agent like hydrogen peroxide or chlorine to generate highly reactive hydroxyl radicals. The final processing goes through a Granular Activated Carbon filter to remove the contaminants from the water.

The flurry of activity at our Shelter Rock Road plants since March will end in June when the installation of Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration systems are completed.

Water Commissioner Kenneth Borchers explained, “A total of four GAC filters were recently installed, two each at Plant 7 and at Plant 10. This technology will treat emerging contaminants in our water by the process of adsorption. Construction is being done simultaneously since the plants are adjacent to one another. This will expedite installation, minimize potential interruptions and we can take advantage of economies of scale. It’s a win-win situation.”

How Does GAC Work?

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), which can be derived from wood, peat, coal, lignite or even coconut shells, is a remarkable substance with a unique pore structure consisting or micro-pores, meso-pores and macro-pores. Unlike the process of absorption where atoms, molecules or ions actually permeate a liquid or solid, in adsorption the atoms, molecules or ions form a film and adhere to the surface of the liquid or solid without penetrating. To put it into persepective, 10 grams of granulated activated carbon, (less than a third of an ounce), has a surface area equal to a standard NFL football field. That porosity is why GAC is ideal for eliminating emerging contaminants in water.

Garden City Park Water District has approximately 1,550 isolation valves within the distribution service area ranging from 4 to 16 inches.  Valves are used to isolate water main breaks and facilitate the water department’s quick response to any distribution system emergencies that occur. We are continuously conducting a comprehensive valve maintenance program of inspecting, exercising and replacement of valves. This program will help us avoid potentially serious problems when the need to use a valve arises.

Believe it or not, Garden City Park Water District (GCPWD) has been serving the local community of Garden City Park for close to 100 years! Time doesn’t stand still, and in an effort to keep pace with technology and infrastructure advancements, the District is committed to meeting the existing and anticipated demands of delivering water to our consumers.

A few years ago, the District embarked on a capital campaign to fund new projects – including the rebuild of Plant No. 9 located at County Court House Road. Today Plant No. 9 is in full operation and pumping water within the District.

Built in 1969, Plant No. 9 was in dire need of rehabilitation and a rebuild. This included modernization and automation. Designed as a two-phase project, the work included:

• Pump and motor replacement
• Upgrade of the motor control center
• Raise base to meet current Nassau County Department of Health standards
• Upgrade existing booster pump
• Replace air-stripping tower
• Complete rebuild and upgrade of Nitrate removal system

“We’re happy to announce that Plant No. 9 is fully operational and in service delivering potable water to our consumers,” said Water Commissioner Chris Engel. “A lot of engineering went into this project, and Plant No. 9 is now state-of-the-art in regard to equipment, pumping motors and technology. The plant is operating with peak efficiency, and we thank our staff for a job well done.”

It all starts with the facts of water production on Long Island. The water that you use day in and day out for every purpose originates far below our surface and is drawn from the Magothy Aquifer.

The Water Commissioners that you elect to manage the District are your neighbors, and they live right here in the community they serve. It’s the responsibility of the Commissioners to be fiscally sound and protect local taxpayers. Annual voting for Water Commissioners ensure that your investment is in safe hands with local control.

Your water rate is less than two percent of your Nassau County residential taxes. The monies collected by Garden City Park Water District are used for water production, operations and maintenance by this District and this District alone. Funds are not redirected for some other non-water-related project. What comes in, stays in!

The reality is that through local control, each community has responsibly financed and regulated its own water supply for many years. The fact is, progress and improvement have come promptly and appropriately without the bureaucratic disadvantages associated with massive political governing bodies. Garden City Park Water District operates 24/7/365 with a staff of 12 serving 18,000 people.

To that end, GCPWD Water Commissioners provide an indispensable service of delivering high quality, potable water to households and businesses within the District. It takes dedication and hard work, and we will continue to do everything possible to guarantee the highest quality water at the lowest possible cost.

It’s important for residents to know that Garden City Park Water and Fire District services all 700 hydrants within our District. Keeping them up to code is a task that we take seriously, especially when our firefighters need them to perform at optimal efficiency.

Our Yearly Hydrant Program Includes:

• Painting hydrants to protect their metal fabrication and allow firefighters to readily locate them
• Greasing and/or oiling all necessary parts
• Hydrants are flushed and flow is confirmed
• Testing drain function to make sure hydrants drain properly
• Recording line pressure for each hydrant
• Checking to ensure the hydrant isolation valve is functioning properly
• Additional standard maintenance as suggested by the hydrant manufacturer

Residents can assist with this ongoing project by making sure their landscape improvements do not block access to or interfere with the operation of fire hydrants. Landscaping should not block the three caps on the side of the hydrant, which in an emergency are removed to connect fire hoses. Also, the top of the hydrant should be free of landscaping so the hydrant can be turned on without interference.

In winter, we also remind all residents who have fire hydrants in front of their homes to kindly remove all snow around the hydrant to allow access during an emergency.

We’re proud to announce that David Dziomba and Christopher Tobin won the Long Island Region Top Operators competition and recently competed at the American Water Works Association (AWWA) spring program in Saratoga Springs, NY. David and Chris qualified as one of only three teams statewide. Congratulations Dave and Chris – You Earned It!

As part of the Capital Improvement Program, the District began replacing the oldest sections of its 76 miles of main in October 2016. Since then, 6,000 feet has been added in the southeast portion of the District – Garden City Park – just south of Jericho Turnpike.

The 6-inch pipe has been replaced with 8-, 10- or 12-inch pipe and new hydrants will be installed to help provide better flow, volume and capacity. The improvements will also increase the life expectancy of the system andhelp local fire departments meet water pressure demands.

Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not yet set a standard for 1,4-dioxane, GCPWD is not waiting for a resolution. In fact, the District, with oversight from Nassau County Department of Health, has installed a treatment system at Plant No. 8 (which is off-line) to remove 1,4-dioxane through a chemical reaction and UV light. After treatment with chlorine and UV, levels are so low they can barely be detected.

It’s important for consumers to know that 1,4-dioxane is used in everyday household products such as cosmetics, detergents, shampoos, deodorants, sunscreens and more. “We’re concerned about it and we’re taking action to treat our water,” commented the Board of Commissioners. “And while our levels are quite low compared to other parts of Long Island, we’re moving forward to create a solution.”

This pilot program is part of the 2016 Bond Project and if proven successful, the treatment program will be implemented across the District.