Officials Say Long Beach Medical Center Water Was Uncontaminated

Some Long Beach residents were concerned when they saw water being pumped out of the basement of the abandoned Long Beach Medical Center building earlier this week, but city and state officials say that there is nothing to be concerned about.

On Feb. 12, workers for South Nassau Communities Hospital, which now owns the Long Beach Medical Center building, were seen pumping water out of the basement into the lot next to the building. Residents were concerned about possible contaminants in the water infiltrating the city's system and the nearby bays.

City officials said that Building Department inspectors reported to the site to examine the situation. Officials said that the inspector determined that the water was rainwater or groundwater that had seeped into the basement and was not contaminated.

Inspectors from the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the state's environmental watchdogs, also responded to the site. The DEC also said the water was accumulated stormwater and showed no signs of oil sheen or other contamination.

On Feb. 13, the city building inspector returned to the site with a police officer, a Town of Hempstead Bay Constable and a member of the South Nassau engineering staff to make sure the water was still uncontaminated.

The DEC said that it will continue to investigate, and is working with the city and the Bay Constables to make sure the site is properly managed.

"City officials have had discussions with SN in regards to maintaining the grounds," said city spokesperson Ryan McTiernan.