Holding Polluters Accountable In Future Preparations
Bethpage Water District Breaks Ground on Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Project, Paid for by United States Navy
The Bethpage Water District recently broke ground on a substantial renovation project at its Plant 6 site, located on Motor lane. The Plant, which houses two vital supply wells, will receive upgrades to its infrastructure which prepare the District to treat higher concentrations of contaminants present in the water supply as a result of the Northrop Grumman Plume. This renovation — part of an estimated $15M commitment to provide the District with the advanced capability to treat elevated contaminant levels in the Plume — will continue for approximately two years with the vast majority of costs to be covered by the United States Navy.
“The Bethpage Water District has been working with the Navy for years to communicate the tremendous need for our District to be able to treat higher concentrations of contaminants in the plume,” said Commissioner Theresa M. Black. “Our District is dedicated to holding polluters accountable for their actions and ensuring that we can increase our capability to treat contaminants in the Northrop Grumman Plume. Through our steadfast efforts to work with the Navy in every step of the process, we are happy to conduct this sizable renovation project at a minimal cost to taxpayers.”
The scope of work at this plant site includes the removal of existing, outdated infrastructure present at the Plant, as well as the installation of two new air stripping units with vapor phase carbon filtration systems, installation of a new clear well that is five times the capacity of the existing system and updated housing units for wells 6-1 and 6-2. These new features at the plant will join the District’s full-scale Advanced Oxidation Processing (AOP) facility — one of the first of its kind in New York State — and Granular Activated Carbon Filtration units. This new infrastructure will work in conjunction to increase the District’s treatment capability exponentially to accommodate the high concentrations of contaminants within the Northrop Grumman Plume.
“The District is excited to begin the process of revitalizing our infrastructure at Plant 6,” said Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, John R. Sullivan. “We have been working tirelessly, along with our professional engineers, H2M architects + engineers, to design treatment infrastructure that increases our treatment capabilities and ensures we are able to provide a reliable, high-quality source of water to our residents now and into the future.”
Located in the affected area of the Northrop Grumman Plume, Plant 6, this massive undertaking and revitalization will be supported by the United States Navy to treat Plume contaminants and better prepare the District to meet demand in any season. Additionally, the Navy will bear the financial burden for modification, or unforeseen requirements to the plume remediation project during construction, as well as all costs incurred from regular maintenance requirements at the plant for a period of 30 years.
“The District has dedicated a tremendous amount of time and resources behind holding the Navy and Northrop Grumman responsible to ensure that this burden does not fall on the backs of Bethpage taxpayers,” said Commissioner John F. Coumatos. “We are confident that the scope of the work being done at Plant 6 will help best position our District for the future and increase our capability to treat the contaminants within the Plume.”
For more information, visit http://bethpagewater.com.
Source: The Bethpage Water District