Five Towners express their frustrations with New York American Water

More than a dozen Five Towns residents presented their concerns and voiced displeasure about the recurring brown water problem to three New York American Water officials at Young Israel of North Woodmere on June 18.

The community meeting comes on the heels of increasing unhappiness with NYAW in all its service areas across Nassau County, especially Service Area 1, which includes the Five Towns and surrounding communities such as Atlantic Beach, East Rockaway, Lynbrook, and Valley Stream.

American Water officials, who included vice president of operations Richard Kern, water quality manager Michael Nofi and external affairs manager Lee Mueller, reiterated the information that has been presented in previous forums and in statements to the press. The trio also showed a PowerPoint presentation outlining what the company is doing to improve the water quality in the Five Towns. They answered residents’ questions after the presentation.

Inwood resident and Nassau County third district legislature candidate Nathan Wein reported enduring consecutive times he cannot put his son in the bath tub because of the discolored water. “There have been times where I have had two, three and four nights in a row where I was bringing my son to the bath and I realized that I was not going to be able to give him a bath,” he said. “That is very uncomfortable for me and my family. Its nothing personal against NYAW, we’re just frustrated with the service.”

North Woodmere resident Judith Gutman said that she thinks there are other chemicals in her water besides iron. “I’ve left a sample of my water out over night and there is a sand-like texture that accumulates at the bottom,” she said. “There are particles in my water.” Kern disagreed with Gutman’s assessment said, “There are no particles, just the iron.”

“Most of the water pipes in the Five Towns area were built before 1952,” Kern said. “The older pipes tend to get iron buildup which sticks to the wall of the pipe. The buildup then gets reactive and breaks loose, causing the discoloration.”

Kern said that discolored water is safe to use, but understands why people would not want to use it. “If I went to the tap and see the water discolored, I’m not drinking it,” he said. “Were not debating that. Were doing everything we can to resolve this issue.”

Nofi said that NYAW’s water testing is conducted by external companies and is extensive. “Our testing is done through third-party laboratories and 150 different chemicals are tested for,” Nofi said. “We would not be able to serve water if it didn’t meet requirements.”

The officials said that pipe replacement has been ongoing in the area, including the installation of a new water main along Hewlett Parkway, Westervelt Place and Wheatley Street in Hewlett. The work began on June 12, and is expected to take roughly six weeks to complete. It includes the replacement of 2,560 feet of two- and six-inch water main installed in 1924 with new eight- and 16-inch ductile iron water main. The cost for the project is $970,000 and Kern said that NYAW spends roughly $40 million per year on capital improvements.

While Nofi was speaking, one North Woodmere woman who could not be identified stood up and made her issues with the water quality known. “My kids will not get in a bath because of this brown water,” she said. “You’re telling me that this water is safe to use? I don’t believe you.” She stormed out of the meeting after her comments.

Wein asked if more meetings would be held, Kern said yes. “My point of contention is that we want to see more of an investment from you (NYAW),” Wein said. “We want to see even more work being done in our neighborhood and more money spent on replacing pipes.”

Mueller affirmed Kern’s response, noting that the meetings are a way to collect feedback from customers. “New York American Water is committed to connecting with our customers and we believe communication is vital,” she said. “We want to hear their concerns and provide information to explain the source of discolored water and what we are doing to address it.”