New Nassau wastewater spill alert system

Nassau County officials have developed a new system to alert residents about reportable incidents at area sewage treatment facilities.

The communications system would send an email to residents when there is a wastewater spill in any waterway that must be reported to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation .

For example, heavy rainstorms can cause sewage systems to overflow into local streets or bays .

“While we continue to work tirelessly to improve the operations at these plants, there is more work to be done due to past neglect,” County Executive Edward Mangano said.

The email system, which will go live Tuesday, Oct. 25, sends an alert from the Department of Public Works within four hours of an incident being reported near the Bay Park, Cedar Creek or Glen Cove sewage treatment facilities.

“This notification policy will add another layer of transparency for our neighbors,” said Legis. Howard J. Kopel (R-Lawrence), chairman of the government services and operations committee.

Residents can also call a new Department of Health hotline at 516-227-9700 to determine whether a wastewater spill has led to the closure of area beaches.