Letter: Don’t dismantle local water districts
The Bethpage Water District argued in a court filing Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, that claims stemming from new, high levels of toxic contamination discovered deep under the ground near a former naval industrial site in Bethpage should be included in its lawsuit against Northrop Grumman Corp. Credit: Danielle Finkelstein
Newsday’s editorial “Gaining ground on water fight” [Feb. 19] refers to inefficiencies of water management on Long Island. The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association is composed of 21 water districts, each with locally elected commissioners. The association provides information crucial to district management and operational effectiveness.
Each district enforces and complies with all county, state and federal regulations, and works with other dedicated, environmentally concerned organizations, including the bi-county Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection. Through this and governmental supervision, our water is already managed regionally.
Independent local governance is critical to policy and water supply decision-making in each community. Advocating the dismantling of water districts ignores community differences across Long Island and summarily takes away voting opportunities from the people of each community.
We agree with the governor’s assessment that the “aquifer on Long Island is a priceless asset,” and we commend his decision to release state funds for a study. We concur that a wholly scientific, unpoliticized study will provide extremely useful information for all organizations, including our member districts, which have successfully managed Long Island’s greatest natural resource for generations.
Raymond J. Averna, Bethpage
Editor’s note: The writer is president of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association.
