Water authority in need of funding

The Southeastern Nassau County Water Authority is facing a roadblock on the path to a possible public takeover of Aqua New York, which could mean lower water rates for local residents: The authority doesn’t have enough money to conduct an investigation into the feasibility of the takeover.

That was what members of the authority’s Board of Directors said during a public meeting on April 14 at the Town of Hempstead Golf Course Clubhouse in Merrick. The water authority was originally created through state legislation in 1991, with the responsibility of determining whether a public takeover of a private water company made economic sense. The authority, which did not reach a conclusion, had been dormant since 1997 until recently being reinstated. It initially received seed money from both the Town of Hempstead and the Town of Oyster Bay, but that apparently isn’t enough to carry out its studies.

Aqua’s service area includes Bellmore, Merrick, Wantagh, Seaford, East Massapequa, Levittown, Massapequa Park and parts of Glen Cove.

At the authority’s February meeting, Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg, a Democrat from Merrick, encouraged the board to look into securing a community development block grant from the county. A block grant is federal money allotted to improve communities, which comes through the county. Denenberg, however, told the board last Thursday that he had investigated the possibility of obtaining the grant, but the communities within the service area do not qualify for it.

Board members said they were upset to hear the news from Denenberg, but added that they would continue to seek other funding sources. The board encouraged residents to write to state officials to explain the importance of the water authority and the need for additional funding. John Reinhardt, the board secretary, said the authority hopes to receive state grant money.

Though still seeking funds, the board has continued to carry out studies as best it can. As a state authority, it must first secure accounting services. “We really do need some professional help,” board President Richard Ronan said.