The Town could provide clean drinking water to public buildings by expanding the West Neck Water (WNW) system under a state grant covering up to 60 percent of the costs, the Town Engineer says.
Joe Finora presented an informal outline of his proposal at the Town Board work session on Tuesday. Here’s what it entails:
- The Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA), which operates the WNW system for the Town, would install two new wells in the current wellfield with greater capacity than originally planned
- The additional water would enable SCWA to provide for the needs of Town offices, police headquarters, justice court, the school, community center, library, firehouse, EMS barn, and senior activity center, among others
- SCWA would lay water mains and install service connections
- The public entities would cover plumbing costs to connect their buildings
- They’d become customers of the expanded district, improving water quality and possibly lowering all WNW customer costs by spreading capital burdens across a larger group of consumers
Water isn’t free now, and costs are rising
People think of well water as being free, other than minor costs for electricity to run pumps. But that’s not the case for public buildings, Finora told the board.
“These buildings are currently considered ‘non-community’ water systems, which require substantially higher scrutiny for testing, monitoring, and treating,” he said.
Right now, the Town spends $10K to $15K per year to maintain a water filtration system at the Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. The Town rents the kitchen to prepare meals for its Senior Nutrition Program.
Without a public water system, the Town may face similar costs at each of its buildings; the nonprofit entities that operate the others would face similar costs.
“Connection to a public water supply will eliminate the operational burden the Town faces currently,” he said. “And also the long-term liability of maintaining and complying with current and future regulations.”
The WNW system was slated to have one new well under the lease agreement with SCWA, but the authority has already agreed to put two new wells into service, “massively” expanding capacity from about 50 gallons per minute to 200 or 300 gallons per minute, Finora said.
Seeking a $5M state grant
Finora estimates the total capital investment for the proposed expansion to serve public buildings at roughly $5M. Under a grant from the state’s Environmental Facilities Corporation, the Town’s share would be around $2M.
The state is offering $425 million for clean and drinking water projects during the 2023/24 fiscal year. Selected municipalities with infrastructure projects that protect public health and/or improve water quality may apply.
Grant applications are due July 28. Finora received the Town Board’s go-ahead to apply — noting that applying doesn’t represent a commitment to the project.
Under the grant terms, the Town could further offset its expenses through other grants, he said. And, with SCWA’s involvement, the Town wouldn’t owe all the money upfront. Instead, the majority of costs could be folded into a SCWA surcharge, as was done under the WNW lease agreement, he said.
Future connections?
Meantime, Finora said SCWA continues to evaluate Town-owned Sachems Woods for potential future well fields.
Lisa Shaw, chair of the WNW Board of Directors, asked that potential customers who have already indicated an interest in joining the system be given priority in any system expansion.
“I’d support exploring that further,” Finora said, explaining that the state grant would cover the expansion strictly for municipal buildings. Others along the water mains might later apply for inclusion.
Peter Grand, chair of the Town’s Water Advisory Committee, said, “From my contact with people in the community, I think you’re going to find there’s more demand than you expect.”
