A major water main replacement project has been completed in Mastic Beach as part of an ongoing initiative by the Suffolk County Water Authority to modernize aging infrastructure and strengthen water service reliability.
About 1,300 feet of outdated pipe on Dahlia Drive, Riviera Drive, and Longfellow Drive was replaced with new ductile iron mains, a durable material designed to withstand higher pressures and reduce the risk of breaks. The work will be followed by roadway restoration next year.
“This upgrade has strengthened the system in Mastic Beach and will help limit service disruptions in the future,” said authority Chief Executive Officer Jeff Szabo. “Each of these projects makes a meaningful difference for the communities we serve and ensures the long-term health of our water distribution network.”
The Mastic Beach project is one of several recent efforts by the agency to update its South Shore infrastructure. In recent years, it has overseen water main improvements in Shirley, Patchogue, and Bay Shore, where aging pipes were replaced to increase resiliency during storms and periods of heavy demand.
Officials say these upgrades are particularly important in coastal communities, where salt air and groundwater can accelerate the deterioration of older pipes. By investing in stronger materials now, the authority aims to reduce emergency repairs and improve long-term service reliability.
Beginning operations in 1951, the Suffolk County Water Authority provides water to about 1.2 million Suffolk residents. It operates as a not-for-profit public-benefit corporation without taxing power. Its infrastructure program is funded through water rates and reinvested into projects like the one in Mastic Beach.