Bosworth Wins Battle to Protect Long Island's Drinking Water: War is Not Over

New York City recently announced that it will halt its plan to reopen several inactive wells in Jamaica, Queens, and North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth has applauded the decision.

Bosworth is among many community members and groups who have worked tirelessly to protect Long Island’s drinking water. “It’s an ongoing crusade,” Bosworth told Patch.

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection plan would have drawn about 33 million gallons of water a day from Long Island’s drinking water supply.

Reopening these wells after many years of not being used could alter flow patterns and cause saltwater intrusion, according to a press release.

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Bosworth has been very involved in protecting the aquifers. She even went down to Washington, D.C., to speak to federal representatives about the issue and ask for their help. “We’ve got to be very vigilant in protecting our water,” she said.

Bosworth has worked with Great Neck- Port Washington Aquifer Committee of Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington and Executive Director Mindy Germain to stop the plan.

Bosworth’s crusade is far from over: the City plans to rehabilitate these wells for future use.

“I will continue to advocate for the proper groundwater analysis and a model, to ensure that the City and our water suppliers are acting with the best information,” she said in a statement.

Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington were pushing for the United States Geological Survey to conduct a scientific study to find out “what will happen when the wells get turned on before they actually are turned on,” Germain previously told Patch.

The study by USGS, an independent and impartial organization, would make sure Long Island’s water supply would be unharmed.

“This is critical to ensuring the sustainability of our water supply here on Long Island and I will press strongly at every opportunity to achieve this goal,” Bosworth said. “All of this highlights the need for a state oversight and enforcement mechanism so we can protect and preserve the integrity of our underground aquifers.”

Image via Shutterstock

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