Thursday, March 20, 2025
It is all too easy to waste water in a world where its availability is taken for granted. But what happens when the aquifers that provide Long Island with its fresh water become dangerously diminished?
The state of those aquifers, and the challenges posed by groundwater depletion, were the focus of a presentation by Sarah Meyland, a water management consultant, at a meeting hosted by the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, in Sea Cliff, on Tuesday.
“Today’s presentation is jam-packed with information critical to us all,” Stephanie Sobel, a co-president of the coalition, said. “As the leading, and only, nonprofit organization focused solely on Hempstead Harbor, we take our role as stewards of the harbor seriously.”
Meyland, a longtime advocate of sustainable water management, offered a sobering analysis based on findings from a decade-long study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Her message was clear: without urgent action, Long Island’s groundwater supply faces severe and potentially irreversible consequences.
The study, authorized in 2016, was originally expected to take four years but was delayed, with the first phase only finished last August.
“Knowledge of the aquifer framework was about 40 years out of date when this project began,” Meyland explained. “We know more now as a result of this recent study, which provides an updated view of the groundwater systems, using 120 years of data from 1900 to 2019.”
The aquifer system, which includes the Lloyd, Magothy and Upper Glacial aquifers, is a layered geological formation of sand, gravel and clay. Vital sources of freshwater, the aquifers are increasingly threatened by overuse, contamination and saltwater intrusion.
Saltwater intrusion, one of the study’s critical findings, poses a significant threat to Nassau County. As groundwater levels drop, saltwater from nearby bodies of water seeps into the aquifers, rendering them unusable as freshwater sources.
“The question is whether there is enough water in the aquifer system to hold back the ocean,” Meyland said, directly quoting the study. “The aquifer system in western Long Island has been under stress from pumping of public water supply wells, irrigation for golf courses, and industrial wells.”
The study found that since 1900, the aquifers have lost roughly 5 percent of their freshwater. While that may seem like a small portion, Meyland pointed out that the aquifers are refilled over hundreds of years, and it will take centuries to restore that lost 5 percent.
She also emphasized that once enough of an aquifer is contaminated by saltwater, it cannot be restored.
Despite the urgency, Meyland expressed frustration over the lack of proactive measures to address aquifer sustainability. She criticized the DEC for failing to effectively manage groundwater, noting that the agency considers itself a regulatory body rather than a management authority.
“Over the past 10 years, we have never gotten to the point of even talking about sustainability,” she said. “This is shocking, and unfortunately, no proactive actions have been taken or even discussed at this point.”
Meyland also highlighted the lack of public education on groundwater conservation, pointing out that the DEC has done little to explain why community participation is critical. Efforts to push the DEC to create specialized modeling of vulnerable North Shore communities such as Great Neck, Port Washington, Glen Cove and Bayville have been met with resistance.
While acknowledging some progress, Meyland pointed to the DEC’s Long Island Action Agenda as a promising but incomplete initiative. The agenda focuses on water quality issues, particularly nitrogen contamination, and collaboration with local governments and nonprofits. But water quantity concerns remain largely unaddressed.
“The DEC has never promoted its ability to address water quantity through its regulatory powers,” Meyland said. “The public understands water quality because it has been discussed for decades. But the issue of quantity, and the long-lasting damage we can inflict on aquifers if we don’t maintain adequate water levels, is largely ignored.”
To its credit, the study has introduced new tools, including updated computer models and an interactive online platform, that allow researchers and policymakers to simulate various scenarios, such as increased water withdrawals and the impact of climate change.
“This tool is available to the public and professionals alike,” Meyland said. “It’s a game-changer for understanding how our aquifers might respond to future stresses.”
The Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor plans to distribute information from the presentation, and host additional events to raise awareness of the state of the aquifers. Meyland also outlined steps that residents and local officials can take to mitigate the crisis:
Meet reduction goals: Meyland highlighted a DEC directive for water suppliers to reduce summer water usage by 15 percent. While issued years ago, this goal has largely been forgotten. “If the public knew about this 15 percent challenge, I believe they would be willing to help,” she said.
Install smart irrigation systems: Homeowners with automatic irrigation systems should invest in smart controllers that adjust for weather conditions, reducing unnecessary water use. “We don’t need to water lawns three times a week,” Meyland added. “Two or even once is enough.”
Encourage long-range planning: Local officials should incorporate sustainability into their long-term planning efforts and prioritize water conservation in community policies.
Promote public awareness: Meyland urged residents to advocate for better communication from the DEC and demand progress reports on water conservation goals.
For more information on the study and conservation efforts, visit the USGS website, USGS.gov. For more information on the coalition and its events, go to its website, CoalitionToSaveHempsteadHarbor.org.
