Water District Passes Water Service Connection Moratorium

As the Hicksville Water District prepares for New York State’s impending emerging contaminant regulations to be approved, the District recently took a necessary measure to protect water availability for existing residents. After weeks of deliberation, data analysis and distribution system review, the District passed a resolution creating a temporary water service connection moratorium on all new commercial and residential requests for water. This action is another step in the long list of proactive measures the District has taken to protect the integrity of the community’s water system.

“The Hicksville Water District’s Board of Commissioners has the unwavering responsibility of protecting the needs of our current residents and this policy decision reflects that commitment,” said Hicksville Water District Chairman Nicholas Brigandi. “As the timeline for compliance with the pending 1,4-dioxane regulations remains unknown, this action will help protect our ability to meet the existing water demand of our residents should we have to take supply wells out of service.”

The Hicksville Water District’s service moratorium impacts any individual or entity requesting a new water service line or one that is larger than what currently exists at their home or business. This temporary measure is likely to remain in place until all treatment systems for emerging contaminants—1,4-dioxane and PFAS—are operational and the District’s water pumping capacity is at full strength. However, an individual or business owner who submitted a water availability request prior to September 10, 2019 will still be considered.

“This moratorium will remain in effect until the Hicksville Water District is certain that it can meet the peak water demands of our existing residents,” said Hicksville Water District Commissioner Karl Schweitzer. “This District completely agrees with the State’s intent to ensure our drinking water is as high quality as possible, but if we are not provided with a sufficient amount of time to install the necessary treatment we will have serious issues meeting demand. This was a tough decision for us to reach, but we made it with the best interests of our community and its residents in mind.”

The New York State Health Department is in the process of finalizing regulations to establish a Maximum Contaminant Level for 1,4-dioxane of 1 part per billion. At this level, the District will have to take 10 of its 14 wells out of service until the state-of-the-art treatment systems are up and running. To treat for 1,4-dioxane, a combination of the Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP)—mixing water with an oxidant that is then run through a ultraviolet light reactor—and Granular Activated Carbon—an industrial-sized carbon filter—are used to destroy the contaminant and remove any remaining oxidant that could exist prior to the water being sent out for public consumption.

“The number one priority of the Hicksville Water District is the health and safety of our community’s water,” said Hicksville Water District Commission William Schuckmann. “We will never provide our community with water that is not in compliance with the sanitary code so as we are working aggressively to purchase equipment and design and install treatment facilities, the moratorium provides us with an additional tool during these unprecedented times.”

In addition to the water service moratorium, the District is currently developing a districtwide conservation plan to further limit the potential impact on water availability should pumping stations need to come off line. The District’s conservation plan will have a specific focus on reducing non-essential water use, such as lawn irrigation. More information about the District’s final conservation plan and its effect on residents will become available in the coming months.

For more information on the Hicksville Water District, please visit www.hicksvillewater.org or add the District on Facebook at facebook.com/HicksvilleWaterDistrict. Anyone with questions about the newly passed moratorium are encouraged to contact the District’s superintendent at 516-931-0184.