Pipe Dreams

Who's Watching Long Island's Drinking Water?

With all the talk about contaminants in our aquifers, from pesticides to gasoline additives, coupled with the scandals in our water districts, where no one is watching the till, let alone the water, should we be worried about the quality of our water?

"For sure," says Michael Uhl, candidate for Nassau County Legislature in the 8th LD, and a former Water Commissioner from West Hempstead.

"Right now, the water we drink and bathe in is relatively clean and safe," Uhl declared, "but given that our drinking water comes from aquifers below Long Island -- and some of them, not all that far below -- what we put on our lawns and down our drains and sewers today will likely end up in our drinking water tomorrow."

Uhl pointed to the vast number of contaminants already in our water, the aging of pipelines and pumping facilities, and the manner in and extent by which water is tested, and test results are reported, which varies greatly from water district to water district.

"The function of water services, from pumping to testing to delivery, should be centralized and under professional management," concluded Uhl. "This is too important to all of us to be left to political hacks, with little experience or knowledge, whose interests lie not in the purity of the water we drink, but in pumping the well dry for themselves."

Does Michael Uhl believe we should consolidate the water districts under a central system with professional management and oversight?

"You bet," says Uhl, emphatically. "I've been there, and seen first hand the laxity in tracking and remediation of toxic spills, the total lack of accountability, and the loss of anything resembling transparency, which clouds not only the water, but the public's perception of its safety. We can do a heck of a lot better, and consolidateding the fiefdoms of these water worlds would be a great place to start!"
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Click HERE to read The New York Times Op-Ed piece, Pipe Dreams.