Glasses Raised for Manorville Water Project

Glasses of sparkling pine barrens water were raised in a toast Thursday to celebrate the completion of water mains to homes with contaminated wells in Manorville. Suffolk County Water Authority officials assembled on Primrose Path with local leaders, clean water advocates, and homeowners to herald the milestone.

The $7 million project saw a 20,000-foot extension of pipes that will serve 116 homes in both the Brookhaven and Riverhead portions of the community. It was made possible through federal, state, county, and town grants and includes funds for each home to hook into the system. The mains are served by a well in a massive watershed preservation area running along Eastern Suffolk’s spine.

“We averted a public health crisis by getting these homes off private wells,” said SCWA Board Chairman Charles Lefkowitz as he lifted a glass with homeowners who have waited nearly 40 years for the public water installation. “This was the result of many people working together at all levels, an exciting day for safe, clean, drinking water.”

Responding to homeowner complaints that something was wrong with their water, the Suffolk Department of Health tested their wells and found dangerous levels of the “forever chemical,” PFAS. “The water didn’t look right, it didn’t smell right; it left a strange ring around our bathtub,” said Karen Notaro, who hosted the announcement in her home. “Thank you to everyone who pushed this through.”

A water main extension recently completed in Manorville is toasted by SCWA Chairman Charles Lefkowitz, left, Brookhaven Councilman Dan Panico, Adrienne Esposito of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, and homeowner Karen Notaro. Robert Chartuk

“We’re seeing a miracle today: officials from every level of government from both sides of the political aisle who worked together to get this done,” said Senator Dean Murray. “This is how government is supposed to work.”

“A healthy environment, clean air and water is a constitutional right in New York State,” Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio told the crowd assembled in Notaro’s driveway. “Our job is not done until everyone has access to clean water.” According to Giglio, legislators are pushing Gov. Kathy Hochul to increase funding for water projects to $600 million, above the $250 million she included in her budget plan.

Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico implored residents who have not yet made arrangements to tap into the new main. “Staying on private wells is not a plan for success,” Panico said, noting that about 25% of those eligible for the cost-free hookups have not yet done so.

“There’s no greater gift than the gift of clean water,” said Adrienne Esposito of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, who pushed for the funding. “This experience galvanized people to work together for an everlasting change. Their legacy is one of clean water.”

The coalition of officials, environmentalists, and homeowners who pushed for the Manorville water main extension. Robert Chartuk

According to the water authority’s CEO, Jeff Szabo, forever chemicals have seen widespread use in non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, and fire-fighting foam. He noted that the federal Environmental Protection Agency had increased the standards for poly-fluoroalkyl substances in public water supplies. About 1.2 million Suffolk residents are served by the water authority, which has a goal of expanding to about 25,000 homes still using private wells.

Among those also recognized for playing a role in the water project were Congressman Andrew Garbarino, former U.S. Rep Lee Zeldin, Suffolk Executive Ed Romaine, who was Brookhaven supervisor when the town allocated $2 million for the effort, former Suffolk Legislator and now Southold Supervisor Al Krupski, the SCWA management team, and the workers with Local 393.