Marcellino Protects Our Drinking Water

Senator Carl L. Marcellino today announced that his legislation (S1558) prohibiting the storage or pumping of water into the Lloyd Sands Aquifer of Long Island has passed both houses of the legislature.

“We are extremely fortunate to have access to one of the world's finest water supplies and must recognize the fragile nature of our sole source aquifer system. This legislation will ensure that this extraordinary legacy is preserved and protected,” said Senator Marcellino.

The Lloyd Sands Aquifer is the lone source of drinking water for roughly 10 percent of Nassau County residents and this water source is under serious threat of contamination.

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection is currently considering a demonstration test, which would pump 300 to 400 gallons of water a day into the Lloyd Sands Aquifer. This will have two detrimental effects. First, the Lloyd Sands Aquifer is vulnerable to overuse and may leak especially when it's under pressure from additional thousands of gallons of water being pumped into it.

Secondly, there are unforeseen chemical reactions that may take place when the aquifers pristine water is mixed with dissolved nutrients and bacteria from the treated surface water that will be pumped into the aquifer. One possibility is that nitrogen could fuel a growth of bacteria that could clog existing wells. This bill will prohibit the storage or pumping of water into the Lloyd Sands Aquifer and keep Long Island's drinking water pristine and unharmed.

"On behalf of the Long Island Water Conference, I would like to thank Senator Marcellino and all our elected officials who supported the bill that will further protect one of Long Island's most precious natural resources—our water. The bill to protect the Lloyd Aquifer will benefit many of our coastal communities that are dependent upon the aquifer as a source of drinking water. The passage of the bill, supporting the most pristine of the three Long Island aquifers, will continue to maintain the purest water at the lowest rates for our communities and increases the volume of water available for future use," stated Ken Claus, Chairman of the Long Island Water conference.

“It is imperative that we protect and preserve our precious water resources and guarantee that quality drinking water is available for Long Islanders now and into the future,” concluded Senator Marcellino.

The bill was sponsored in the Assembly by Assemblyman Weisenberg and is awaiting Governor Paterson’s approval.