Robert McEvoy, a lifelong resident of Oyster Bay and a longtime public servant, has been elected chairman of the Long Island Water Conference, an organization dedicated to ensuring the safety and reliability of Long Island’s water supply.
With over two decades of experience in the water industry, McEvoy’s leadership marks a pivotal moment for the LIWC, as it continues to address pressing challenges like water quality, conservation and sustainability.
McEvoy, 67, began his career in public service shortly after graduating from college, working in government finance for the Nassau County comptroller’s office and later the Town of Oyster Bay. In 2000 he was elected commissioner of the Oyster Bay Water District, where he has served since, balancing his knowledge of finance with a passion for community service.
“I’ve been involved in government and the water industry for years, and it’s been kind of like a progression,” McEvoy said. “Being a water commissioner allows you to make decisions on a local level, protecting a resource as vital as water. It’s about making sure our residents have safe, reliable and affordable drinking water.”
In addition to his work with the Oyster Bay Water District, McEvoy has been a volunteer firefighter with the Oyster Bay Fire Department since 1975. His experience in firefighting, he noted, ties closely to water management.
“You can’t put out fires if you don’t have enough water,” he said. “My work in both fields has really been interconnected, emphasizing the importance of water distribution systems.”
As chairman of the LIWC, McEvoy will oversee an organization that represents water suppliers, engineering firms and other stakeholders. While he said he was excited about his new role, he did see some challenges ahead, including compliance with stringent state regulations on emerging contaminants and the rising costs of water treatment.
“These new state regulations and treatments that have to be done are very expensive,” he said. “The local water districts and water providers didn’t put these chemicals in the ground 50 years ago, but they’re responsible for their extraction. So any assistance from New York state or the federal government to allay these costs is beneficial.”
McEvoy also emphasized the importance of water conservation. “We really don’t have any control over how to produce more water in the aquifer, so the focus has to be on taking out less,” he said. “So for sustainability, a major part of that is conservation and education of the consumers.”
Michael Rich, a member of the Oyster Bay Water District board of directors, praised McEvoy’s leadership and expertise.
“Chairman McEvoy is a pleasure to work with,” Rich said. “His knowledge of government finance and the water industry is an asset not only to the Oyster Bay Water District, but also to the Long Island Water Conference.”
Dennis Kelleher, a consulting engineer for the district, echoed those sentiments.
“I’ve known Bob for about 20 years, and his financial background has been invaluable,” Kelleher said. “He understands the unique needs of water suppliers, and works tirelessly to ensure their success. His leadership style is collaborative and forward-thinking.”
McEvoy highlighted the importance of cooperation among LIWC members. “Our conference brings together water providers, engineers, pipe manufacturers and even billing companies,” he said. “We share resources, exchange ideas and support one another. If there’s a problem in one district, we’re just a phone call away from finding a solution together.”
One of the conference’s primary roles is advocating for water infrastructure improvements. McEvoy noted that many water providers are currently focused on building treatment facilities to comply with regulations on emerging contaminants.
He also emphasized the importance of educating residents about the value of their local water districts.
“Your water districts are run by your neighbors, not someone in Albany,” he said. “We’re here to provide safe and reliable drinking water, and we take that responsibility very seriously.”
McEvoy’s term as chairman will span one year, but his involvement with the LIWC will continue in an advisory capacity for two additional years. He plans to focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship, to ensure that future generations of Long Islanders have access to clean water.
To learn more about the Long Island Water Conference and the Oyster Bay Water District, visit their respective websites, LIWC.org and OysterBayWaterDistrict.org.
