Friday, October 16, 2020
Vol. 80, No. 42
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SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW
80TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
New water treatment system removes contaminants BY GARY SIMEONE
Local officials congratulate Merril Zorn, owner of Zorn’s of Bethpage, on her business’ 80th year in operation. BY GARY SIMEONE It was a momentous occasion at the Zorn’s of Bethpage last Friday as the longtime business celebrated 80 years in the community with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Merrill Zorn, CEO of Zorn’s, cut the ribbon surrounded by local officials, including State Senator Kevin Thomas, Nassau County Legislators Dennis Dunne and Rose Marie Walker and Town of Oyster Bay Supervi-
sor Joseph Saladino. A historic marker was also unveiled on the property as a gift from the Bethpage Historical Society. Merrill, whose grandfather Peter Zorn opened the family-owned business in 1940, said she was extremely humbled and overwhelmed by the reception. “I am more humbled than you can ever imagine by all of those who came out to recognize our 80th anniversary and so grateful for the presentation
of this historic marker,” said Zorn. “It has been a long road since my family first opened this business in Bethpage, and it is wonderful to see all of the support we’ve received over the years.” Legislator Dunne, who represents the 15th District, said he has been a long-time customer of Zorn’s and remembered a time when he used to come and go with his family See page 14
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The chemicals in Long Island’s drinking water were a hot topic of conversation before the COVID-19 pandemic hit earlier this year. One of the carcinogenic contaminants that was making headlines was a compound called 1,4-Dioxane. According to Hicksville Water District Superintendent Paul Granger, ten out of 14 treatment wells in Hicksville were contaminated with the man-made chemical. “Roughly eight to ten of our 14 wells were affected and had a high level of 1,4-Dioxane in parts per billion along with other volatile compounds,” said Granger. “In late 2015 or early 2016, well number 4, which had the highest level of the chemical and was taken offline as a result.” The Water District has cleaned up its act, literally, with the recent introduction of a treatment system called the Trojan UV Flex Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP.) This system has been introduced at Plant #4 after months of construction and a rigorous review process by the State and County Departments of Health. “We installed the equipment earlier this year and were commissioned to begin operation in late September,” said Granger. “This new system is a major investment that should have both short- and long-term effects on the quality of water in the district.” The Trojan uses the advanced oxidation process which utilizes ultraviolet light 3500-watt bulbs and hydrogen peroxide filtration system to cleanse the water of VOCs or volatile organic compounds. “1,4-Dioxane is an interesting compound and a difficult one to remove once it reaches the water supply. AOP treatment is the only proven method to rid the water supply of 1,4-Dioxane as well as other volatile compounds including perflourooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS),” said Granger. District Chairman Bill Schuckman said that the treatment system was installed at Plant #4 on an emergency basis, but that other wells in the district have been impacted by 1,4-Dioxane. “The total cost at Plant #4 was over $8 million, as it was done on an emergency plan, but we’re talking about an investment of $50 to 70 million district wide because of our other wells that have been See page 14
Research students shine amid pandemic PAGE 13 Livestreaming events at Syosset Library PAGE 12