Conference to Host 3rd Annual Long Island Water Quality Symposium

Farmingdale, NY– The Long Island Water Conference (LIWC), an Island-wide organization comprised of representatives and advocates from Long Island’s major public and private water suppliers announced today the 3rd Annual Long Island Water Quality Symposium will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2015 at Carlyle on the Green in Bethpage State Park. The symposium will bring together environmental experts and advocates, industry representatives and public officials to focus on the quality of Long Island’s drinking water and what can be done to protect this most valuable resource. Topics will include treatment strategies, water conservation and sustainability.

“We are looking forward to another opportunity to engage with water professionals and elected officials in a conversation concerning Long Island’s drinking water supply,” said Michael O’Connell, Chairman of Long Island Water Conference. “We hope to continue a conversation concerning quality, quantity and sustainable infrastructure management to begin discovering greater solutions for protecting our water supply and planning for the future of our system.”

The event will feature introductory remarks from Joan Leary Matthews of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Division, and the program will close with a panel of elected officials who will address steps local government is taking to improve Long Island’s groundwater, surface water and water treatment. The program includes a series of presentations and panel discussions led by water industry experts, who will update attendees on the status of Long Island’s aquifer system, pumpage patterns and its effect, water technology and infrastructure.

Attendees will participate in a walk-through of the United States Geological Society’s interactive State of the Aquifer website and multiple table-top presentations. The Long Island Commissioner for Aquifer Protection (LICAP) will provide an update and presentation of the EquIS database, a data management software. In addition, attendees will learn about a “Don’t Flush Your Drugs” initiative with a presentation on how to safely dispose of pharmaceuticals and therefore protect Long Island’s water supply. Finally, the New York State American Water Works Association will explain the Envision sustainable infrastructure system.

The Long Island Water Conference (LIWC) is an association of more than 50 public water suppliers dedicated to providing a safe and reliable supply of public drinking water for more than 3 million people in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Its members maintain over 1,000 supply wells; 10,800 miles of water mains; and nearly 79,000 fire hydrants across the Island, guarding against contamination and ensuring quality service for a region more populous than 20 states. For more information please visit liwc.org.

The symposium is open to all members of the public. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. To reserve a seat, please email your request to: jskuza@zimmed.com no later than October 14, 2015.