Water Authority Podcast Reviews Need for Federal Funds

ByRobertChartuk

The local need for a share of the $1 trillion federal infrastructure fund approved by Congress last year was the topic of conversation in a recent episode of “What About Water,” a special podcast of the Suffolk County Water Authority.

Hosted by authority Director Jeff Szabo, the episode features representatives of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and focuses on upgrading the nation’s water supply infrastructure and the elimination of contaminants such as lead and polyfluoroalkyls, toxic chemicals known as PFAS that are turning up more and more in the local drinking water.

“The challenges facing the country's water infrastructure are immense,” said Szabo, who noted that the $1 trillion federal commitment has made this

“water’s moment in history.”

According to the director, new EPA standards under consideration for PFAS will put between 50-100 water authority wells above acceptable limits for the chemicals which have seen widespread use in nonstick cookware, water-resistant clothing and fire fighting foam. He appealed to the EPA officials for assistance in helping the SCWA meet the new standards, as well as upgrading Suffolk’s water system.

Speaking on the podcast, the EPA’s Aisha Sexton-Simms, supervisor of the State Revolving Fund Program, said $84 million has been allocated to New York under the infrastructure bill so far with the EPA looking to work

The South Shore Press Newspaper

Established 1984 - Published Weekly An Official Paper of Suffolk

The South Shore Press LLC, Publisher

Mailing Address

Photographers & Reporters Roe Carroll, Robert Chartuk, Karl Grossman, Barbara LaMonica, Raheem Soto, Dominick Forte, Vincent Pica, Tom Barton, Nancy Burner, Fredrick Miller, Nina Jourawleff

First Copy Free. Each Additional Copy is 75¢

$35.00YearlySubscription OutofSuffolkCounty,only$40.00 with local agencies to facilitate the flow of cash. She noted that the funds, in the form of grants, will lower the impact on ratepayers as system improvement efforts, including new mains, tanks, testing, and filtration systems, are pursued.

Szabo noted that the monies set aside for water resources in the infrastructure bill will be the most ever by the federal government and don’t require a state match. With the funds come EPA requirements for PFAS testing and reporting to show that funded projects are having a positive impact on water quality.

“The bad news is there is an urgent need to invest in water,” Szabo said. “The good news is the federal government is stepping up to meet the challenge.”

“What About Water” and other SCWA podcasts can be accessed at: www.scwa.com/podcast.

Copyright© 2023 South Shore Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Material appearing herein may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form. Copying part or all of the editorial or graphic arts in any machinereadable form, making multiple printouts thereof or other uses of the work product contained herein is expressly prohibited and is inconsistent with all applicable copyright laws. Advertisers purchase space and circulation only. All property rights to any advertisements produced for the advertisers by South Shore Press, Inc. using art work and/or typography furnished or arranged by South Shore Press, Inc. shall be the property of South Shore Press, Inc. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced or assigned without the express written consent of South Shore Press, Inc. South Shore Press, Inc. assumes no financial responsibility for errors beyond the cost of the actual space occupied by the error. Postmaster: Send address changes to P.O. Box 431, Shirley, N.Y. 11967.

The South Shore Press, Inc. is a proud member of the following community organizations: The Greater Mastic Beach Chamber of Commerce, The Rocky Point Sound Beach Chamber of Commerce, The Mastic/Shirley Chamber of Commerce, The Moriches Chamber of Commerce, The Bellport Chamber of Commerce, The Manorville Chamber of Commerce, The Medford Chamber of Commerce and The New York Press Association.

Serving the Communities of The Village of Bellport, Brookhaven, Center Moriches, Centereach, Coram, East Moriches, East Patchogue, Eastport, East Shoreham, Farmingville, Gordon Heights, Lake Ronkonkoma, Manorville, Medford, Mastic, The Village of Mastic Beach, Middle Island, Miller Place, Moriches, Mount Sinai, North Bellport, The Village of Patchogue, Port Jefferson Station, The Village of Port Jefferson, Ridge, Rocky Point, Ronkonkoma, Selden, Shirley, Shoreham, Smith Point, Sound Beach, Speonk, Terryville, Wading River, & Yaphank.