Hempstead Town Working To Reopen Water Testing Lab

The Town of Hempstead is looking for partners to help it reopen its water testing laboratory, which was shuttered after the building was damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

The Point Lookout building was closed after black mold and other contaminants were found in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. According to Supervisor Laura Gillen, her predecessor planned to close the lab permanently and sell the equipment. The lab was made a priority in Gillen’s five year Capital Plan, which was passed unanimously by the Town Board, in order to safeguard the water quality in the back bays of Long Island.

Saving the lab will be crucial to safeguarding water quality, which has significantly deteriorated over the last century due in large part to the dumping of effluent from numerous sewage treatment plants, along with nitrogen pollution from septic tanks, and the increased use of fertilizers.

“This lab used to be a bulwark against high levels of pollution, alerting the public to rising levels of contamination,” Gillen said. “Today, 50 years after this lab first began its important work; we’re here to say that we need this lab now, more than ever! I remain fully committed to pursuing an agenda that will protect residents, as well as our beautiful beaches and waterways.”

Hempstead Town hopes to reopen the lab by next spring and is actively seeking joint partnerships with colleges, non-profits and other public and private entities that have an interest in the health of Long Island’s waterways.

“The goal of this lab is not only to safeguard the Town’s residents, but also act as resource to test water quality throughout Long Island,” said Gillen. “It will once again provide a valuable service that can be used to bolster our beaches and home values, as well as the commercial and recreational fishing industry -- all of which are fundamental pillars of Long Island’s economic well-being.”

Gillen noted that the marine economy alone makes up 9.7 percent of Long Island's total GDP, “so protecting this industry, which our communities rely on economically, should be everyone’s concern.”

The town is receiving estimates for the safe removal of the mold and other contaminants, as well as the replacement of electrical, heating and cooling components that are no longer functional. New equipment will be energy efficient and all lighting will be LED, fitting into the town’s sustainability vision. Furthermore, the building will be self-sufficient, utilizing solar panels to power the facility, along with receiving energy from the town’s wind turbine in Point Lookout via remote net metering.

“By reopening this lab we are committing, not only to science and protecting the environment, but to the people of Point Lookout who are desperate to have this lab operating again," said Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney.

Photo courtesy Town of Hempstead