NYS Comptroller DiNapoli Address Water Issues at NSWCA Meeting

Westbury, New York USA, March 29, 2018 - As part of its ongoing Educational Training Series, the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA), which is comprised of commissioners representing 21 water districts across Long Island, recently held a training session covering various topics with New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. A lifelong Long Islander and former NYS assemblyman from the 16th District, Comptroller DiNapoli has served as New York State Comptroller since 2007.

His presentation opened with a discussion about the mission of the NYS Comptroller’s Office and an outline regarding the steps to understanding the audit process. These ranged from initial research and information gathering to corrective action plans and field services surveys.

Further into his presentation, Comptroller DiNapoli zeroed in on current situations including drinking water systems in New York State, and particularly on Long Island. He reviewed the challenges all water districts face with aging infrastructure. “Greater demand, increasing water loss, potential water system contamination and the need for increased security are serious problems facing us today. It is simply not enough to talk about environmental issues,” Comptroller DiNapoli remarked to audience applause. He continued, “We need more long range planning, and we must take a more aggressive approach by making more dollars available to handle infrastructure needs.” He also cited Governor Cuomo’s support of the Clean Water Infrastructure Act with funding for an Environmental Protection Fund to help support municipalities with modernized, sustainable water systems.

NSWCA President and Westbury Water Commissioner Vincent Abbatiello commented, “Comptroller DiNapoli’s presence and presentation was truly informative and enlightening. By providing NSWCA Commissioners, superintendents, and staff with an in-depth look into the specifics of water system management and oversight from the New York State perspective, his training certainly clarified a number of essential points. With growing public recognition of the vital importance and challenges of managing water infrastructure for present day and future use, this informative meeting could not have been more timely.”

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Organized and chartered in 1981, the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) is comprised of water commissioners from 21 Nassau County and Suffolk County water districts. The NSWCA is dedicated to promoting environmental excellence and best practices as well as maintaining the highest standards of water quality and supply. The NSWCA sponsors regular educational meetings on topics that include the environment, security, economics, rules and regulations, among other related issues.

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PHOTO CAPTIONS:

• Photo 2: Pictured at a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association meeting where New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli address water district issues and water system management from left to right are NSWCA 1st Assistant VP and Oyster Bay Water District Commissioner Michael F. Rich III; NYS Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli; NSWCA President and Westbury Water District Commissioner Vincent Abbatiello; NSWCA Treasurer and Carle Place Water District Commissioner Lawrence F. Zaino, Jr.; and NSWCA Secretary and Hicksville Water District Commissioner William Schuckmann.
• Photo 1: Pictured is NYS Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, who was guest speaker during a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association meeting where he addressed water district issues and water system management.