With the Suffolk County Water Authority making history by meeting the federal government’s strict new water quality standards six years in advance, the South Shore Press presents a brief history of the agency.
In the early 20th century, Suffolk’s vast underground aquifer, holding trillions of gallons of pristine water formed by ancient glaciers, was a coveted resource. As New York City and Nassau County eyed this abundant supply, local leaders recognized the need to protect it. This foresight led to the creation of the Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA), a pivotal institution that has grown from a modest advocate for local water rights into a national leader in public water supply, now serving over 1.2 million residents—approximately 85% of Suffolk’s population.
The SCWA’s origins trace back to 1934, when Governor Herbert Lehman signed legislation empowering counties to establish their own water authorities. This move was spurred by growing external pressure to tap into Suffolk’s groundwater, seen as a financial boon during the Great Depression. Within weeks, Suffolk’s Board of Supervisors, led by Huntington Town Supervisor William Watt, approved the creation of a county water authority. The aim was clear: to control and protect Suffolk’s water resources, with the option to sell surplus water to bolster county finances. However, this proposal sparked fierce debate. W. Kingsland Macy, who would later become SCWA’s first chairman, initially opposed the authority, calling the idea of municipalities like New York City accessing Suffolk’s water “unthinkable.”
Political wrangling ensued, and in December 1934, the Board of Supervisors rescinded the resolution to form the authority. Legal and regulatory battles kept the issue in limbo until 1937, when Macy reversed his stance, recognizing that a local authority was the best defense against external interests. That March, the Board of Supervisors revived the SCWA, appointing Macy as chairman. Since then, the agency has been directed by a who’s who of local politics, including former Suffolk County Executives Mike LoGrande and Pat Halpin, former Brookhaven Republican Leader Walter Hazlitt, and Charles Lefkowitz, a town board veteran.
The authority’s early years were marked by caution. Macy focused on shielding Suffolk’s water from outside interests, rejecting proposals for an island-wide authority that would dilute Suffolk’s control. It wasn’t until 1949 that the SCWA took a significant step toward becoming an operational utility. That year, the board voted to condemn the bankrupt South Bay Consolidated Water Company, acquiring its infrastructure across Amityville, Bay Shore, Southampton, and other communities for $7.3 million—a bargain compared to the initial $10 million estimate. This acquisition, finalized in 1951, marked the SCWA’s official start as New York State’s first public benefit corporation for drinking water, serving 21,000 customers.
The post-World War II population boom transformed Suffolk County, with its population soaring from 276,129 in 1950 to 1.12 million by 1970. The SCWA grew in tandem, fueled by infrastructure expansion and the acquisition of smaller water companies. The construction of the Long Island Expressway, championed by master developer Robert Moses, accelerated this growth, connecting Suffolk to western markets and spurring development. By 1960, SCWA had added 235 miles of water main, a stark contrast to the 8.2 miles installed in its first year. Today, its network spans over 6,000 miles, enough to stretch from Suffolk to Siberia.
As Suffolk’s population surged, so did concerns about groundwater contamination. A 1957 SCWA plan warned of threats from detergents and industrial pollutants, advocating for strict development controls to preserve the aquifer. The authority responded by expanding public water access, offering free water main extensions in densely populated areas, and supporting the creation of local water districts. In 1960, SCWA opened its Oakdale headquarters, followed by a production control center in Bay Shore, enhancing its operational capacity.
By the 1970s, SCWA served over 700,000 residents, acquiring 22 municipal and private water companies. Its water quality testing laboratory, equipped with absorption spectrophotometers and other advanced tools, monitored the aquifer for emerging contaminants. In the 1980s, SCWA pioneered treatment technologies to remove organic chemicals, including air stripping and granular activated carbon (GAC) filters. These innovations positioned the provider as a leader in addressing new water quality regulations.
Under Chairman LoGrande, who served from the 1980s to the early 2000s, SCWA shifted its focus to land preservation to protect the aquifer. The authority played a key role in the 1993 Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Act, safeguarding over 106,000 acres of pristine woodlands. SCWA also computerized operations, improving efficiency, and opened a modern regional office in Hauppauge in 1993, housing a state-of-the-art laboratory.
In the 21st century, under the leadership of Chairman Charles Lefkowitz and CEO Jeff Szabo, the authority has solidified its status as a national leader. It has tackled emerging contaminants like PFOS/PFOA and 1,4-dioxane, becoming the first water supplier in New York to implement advanced oxidation process (AOP) systems for contaminant removal. Legal actions against polluters have yielded significant settlements, including $73.4 million for MTBE cleanup. SCWA’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its adoption of compressed natural gas vehicles and initiatives such as the Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection.
“SCWA is a truly world-class organization and is recognized as one of the nation’s leading drinking water providers,” Chairman Lefkowitz said. “We are widely respected and admired across the industry for our innovation, efficiency, and solid fiscal management. Most importantly, we will always fulfill our mission to provide customers with the highest quality water.”
The agency’s Strategic Plan 2025 and its successor, Strategic Plan 2030, have guided SCWA’s evolution, emphasizing water quality, diversity, and infrastructure resilience. The SCWA Education Center and WaterTalk forums engage the public, fostering transparency and trust. With AAA bond ratings, cutting-edge technology, and a dedicated team, SCWA continues to ensure that Suffolk’s residents have access to safe, high-quality drinking water, honoring the vision of its founders while embracing the challenges of the future.