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Sewage is their specialty

Nassau County to partner with United Water to maintain, operate Bay Park, Cedar Creek, Glen Cove plants

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Promising to save taxpayers $233 million over the next 20 years, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano announced a partnership with United Water on Monday to manage and operate the county’s three wastewater treatment facilities, 53 pumping stations and 3,000-mile sewer system.

“This partnership was formed to dramatically improve the county’s ability to protect our environment and the health and well-being of our residents,” Mangano said. “Together with United Water, we will implement unprecedented advances in environmental protection, odor control, management efficiencies, plant aesthetics and public information.”

The county will pay United Water $57.4 million annually — adjusted yearly for inflation. The deal still needs approval by the County Legislature and the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, a state monitoring board that oversees the county’s finances.

About United Water

United Water operates 90 municipal water systems in the U.S., many of them on the East Coast. Headquartered in Harrington Park, N.J., the company provides water and wastewater services to more than 5 million people.

“In municipalities across the country, our firm has been entrusted with one of the most important assets of any community: its water supplies and sanitary sewage system,” said United Water CEO Bertrand Camus. “Every day we treat billions of gallons of water, and we do it safely and effectively, while bringing operational savings to the taxpayer.”

Under a 20-year agreement, United Water will manage Nassau County’s three treatment plants — Bay Park, in East Rockaway, which serves some 532,000 residents; Cedar Creek, in Wantagh, serving 600,000 residents; and Glen Cove, which serves 27,000 residents — as well as the county’s entire sewage system. The county will maintain ownership of the facilities, while United Water will be responsible for their around-the-clock operations and protecting the surrounding wetlands and estuaries.

Reaction from civic, environmental groups

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