The Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) has initiated legal proceedings in Suffolk Courts against the Town of Riverhead over the North Fork Water Main Project. The dispute centers on whether SCWA must comply with local zoning regulations for the project, which aims to provide an additional supply of high-quality water to an area frequently affected by water shortages due to a vulnerable aquifer.
According to SCWA, the Town of Riverhead's application of the Monroe balancing test is not consistent with legal standards. The agency argues that as a public-benefit corporation performing essential government functions, it should be exempt from local zoning requirements. SCWA also points out that similar standards have not been applied to its other projects in the region and cites previous court cases supporting its authority to construct and operate water supply facilities without interference from municipal governments.
In a statement, the SCWA Board said: “The Suffolk County Water Authority has adopted a Monroe determination confirming that the North Fork Water Main Project is not subject to local zoning. While we remain committed to working with the Town of Riverhead, their Monroe determination is legally flawed and leaves us with no choice but to seek relief in court. Public authorities are specifically designed to carry out critical infrastructure work efficiently and without municipal obstruction; imposing local zoning requirements can delay projects that directly affect water reliability. SCWA has clear statutory authority and longstanding case law on its side. We are taking this step to ensure the delivery of reliable, high-quality drinking water to our customers on the North Fork.”
SCWA operates as an independent public-benefit corporation under New York State law, serving about 1.2 million residents in Suffolk County on a not-for-profit basis.