Cleansing the water in Atlantic Beach for nearly 80 years

While organizations and other entities mark their anniversaries with parties and events, the Greater Atlantic Beach Water Reclamation District, a wastewater treatment plant, will be celebrating 80 years of existence in 2012 with an upgrade in operations.

The Atlantic Beach treatment plant will use a de-chlorination process to lessen the plant’s ammonia levels. “The (New York State) Department of Environmental Conservation) mandates that we have 5.7 milligrams per liter of ammonia which is a by-product of the treatment of human waste,” said Plant Supervisor Alexander Michaelis. “We’re going to reduce the ammonia level even lower to treat water cleaner than it already is.”

Michaelis, the plant supervisor since 1986 and superintendent for the Greater Atlantic Beach Water Reclamation District since 2009, oversees the plant’s daily operations, budgeting and maintenance. “The plant is designed for 1.5 million gallons of water a day but our average is about 600,000 to 700,000 gallons a day,” he said. The plant, which operates 24 hours a day, is located at 2150 Bay Boulevard, services 2,134 parcels of land in the Village of Atlantic Beach, Atlantic Beach Estates and East Atlantic Beach.

It’s current operating budget is $1.59 million and in 2012 it is set at $1.63 million. Residents pay a special district tax collected by the Town of Hempstead, which is then distributed to the reclamation district in bi-annual checks.

The plant has undergone several improvements since it was built in 1932, but its largest project occurred in 1999. “We built a second tank in case we had to shut one down,” Michaelis said.

Board of Commissioners Chairman Scott Mason of East Atlantic Beach was elected to serve a three-year term and has done so for more than 10 years. He financially manages the plant and assists with personnel matters. “I’m an accountant by trade so it’s nice to do the other side of the coin,” he said referring to his managerial duties. The district is governed by a three-person board that includes a vice chairman and secretary.

As mandated by state law, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation oversees the plant and the state’s Department of Health will occasionally request the plant’s operating records, Michaelis said.

Meetings of the Greater Atlantic Beach Water Reclamation District are open to the public and take place every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Atlantic Beach Fire Rescue Station located at 1 Rescue Road in Atlantic Beach.