NSWCA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Manhasset - Lakeville Water District
Job Titles:
- Commissioner
- Commissioner Intagliata Passes
Job Titles:
- Manhasset - Lakeville Water District
The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners' Association (NSWCA) was founded in 1981 to promote environmental excellence and maintain the highest standards of water quality, supply and distribution supply on behalf of Long Island consumers.
The Association represents twenty-one Special Districts administered by locally elected water commissioners. Local governments are responsive to residents' concerns, knowledgeable about problems and resources and fully accountable to constituents. Every dollar collected by our members goes into the operation of the water district.
The NSWCA provides information crucial to water district management and operational effectiveness. We support education and training, provide legal advice and information on industry-wide litigation legislative advocacy as well as public relations support.
We also collaborate with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to monitor groundwater conditions, improve the understanding of groundwater movement and the effects of the quantity and quality of that groundwater.
Michael Venditto, Nassau County Legislator of the 12 th District covering Massapequa and Farmingdale, was recently guest speaker at Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners' (NSWCA) September meeting. Representing Nassau County's Boards of Public Works, Public Safety, Health & Social Services, and Finance, as well as the County's Planning, Development & Environment Committee, Legislator Venditto's participation at the meeting is part of an ongoing communication effort that he believes is "essential in providing the best level of service to the public for our key natural resource."
Since taking office after being unanimously elected to fill the seat of late County Legislator Peter Schmitt in October 2012, Legislator Venditto, son of Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto, has devoted special focus on storm recovery. During his NSWCA address, he shared with NSWCA members the public's praise and "rave reviews" for Long Island water commissioners' stellar emergency response, which involved no interruption of service at any time during and in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
Pointing out the public's growing concern about Long Island's water supply, Legislator Venditto discussed how and why continuing communication between commissioner-run districts and regulatory bodies remains a vital part of the ongoing strategies needed to "continually provide the public with the best quality water and utility service possible." He also spoke enthusiastically about working with the water commissioners to further their continuing efforts in water conservation and heralded local control as "a system that works, and a system that must prevail."
NSWCA President Gary Brosnan of South Farmingdale Water District stated, "Water is our most essential utility, and we must work together to protect it island-wide. The issues we are facing today and will face tomorrow will require close cooperation, clear communication and combined resolve. Legislator Michael Venditto has reaffirmed our Water Districts' government support channels and helped revitalize communications between local commissioners and their county legislators."
Job Titles:
- Hicksville Water District
Senator Elaine Phillips, New York State Senator from the 7 th Senate District, recently addressed the NSWCA with her thoughts and opinions on a variety of water-related topics. Speaking in front of a full house, she reiterated that ensuring that Long Island water resources remain safe for current residents and future generations is now, and has always been, a top priority of hers.
"I consider myself one of the most environmental Senators from New York, and environmentalism is part of my platform," commented Senator Phillips. "Drinking water is a necessity, not a luxury."
The Senator noted that 1,4-dioxane is at unprecedented levels across the country, and particularly right here on Long Island. She pointed out that there is state funding coming into Long Island, and that some Districts have already received funding for treatment in 2017.