Wantagh water tower plan draws opposition

More than 300 people came out to a community meeting to oppose a proposed 150-foot-tall water tower site in Wantagh that water company officials say is needed to boost pressure.

The Wantagh and Seaford Homeowners Association, and the Wantagh Civic Association hosted the 2 1/2-hour meeting Tuesday night at Wantagh High School to discuss the proposed water-tower plan by Aqua New York Inc., a private water company based in Merrick.

The majority of residents opposed the tower because they fear it would be an eyesore that could bring down the value of their homes. "This is not going to be the town of the towers of terror," said Pamela Dempsey, president of the civic group.

Aqua has two applications pending before the Town of Hempstead's Board of Appeals for its site just west of the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway and east of Temple Drive. The public hearing on the two proposals is Aug. 10.

The first application is for construction of two one-floor buildings to house a new well and water treatment and purification equipment. The second application is for the tower, which the company said is needed to address persistent low water-pressure problems in the area, particularly in the summer.

At least a quarter of the audience at the meeting raised their hands to acknowledge they had water-pressure problems.

The tower project, slated for DeMott Avenue, would cost $2 million and residents would pay $5 more per year starting Jan. 1, Aqua president Matthew Snyder said at the meeting. If the tank is not built, the money would be refunded, he said.

American Water Works Co., of Voorhees, N.J., announced Monday that it is seeking the approval of the New York State Public Service Commission to buy Aqua. If the purchase is approved, American Water would inherit the proposed water tower.

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has urged American Water to stop Aqua's plan to erect the tower and explore other options for water delivery. But Nassau County legislators Dave Denenberg and Dennis Dunne, who were at the meeting, suggested looking into a public takeover of Aqua.

One suggestion from residents was for Aqua to use booster pumps. However, a booster-pump system could cost at least $2.5 million, Snyder said. Still, many residents indicated they would be willing to pay more if it would mean not having the tower.

"We'll look at any alternatives," Snyder said.