Accountability is an absolutely vital virtue. Our society works best when people hold themselves responsible for their actions and accountable in their communities. One of the ways we in the Bethpage Water District attempt to answer that question in our communities is by putting an end to groundwater pollution and hold polluters accountable for their actions. This is why we are so excited to announce the breaking ground on a substantial renovation project at our Plant 6 site, located on Motor Lane.
The Plant, which houses two vital supply wells, will receive upgrades to its infrastructure that will prepare the District to treat higher concentrations of contaminants present in the water supply as a result of the Northrop Grumman Plume. This renovation—part of an estimated $15 million commitment to provide the District with the advanced capability to treat elevated contaminant levels in the Plume—will continue for approximately two years with the vast majority of costs to be covered by the United States Navy.
For years, the Bethpage Water District has been working with the Navy to communicate the tremendous need for our District to be able to treat higher concentrations of contaminants in the plume. Polluters MUST be held accountable for their actions. The District has dedicated a tremendous amount of time and resources behind holding the Navy and Northrop Grumman responsible to ensure that this burden does not fall on the backs of Bethpage taxpayers. And through our steadfast efforts to work with the Navy in every step of the process, we are happy to conduct this sizable renovation project at a minimal cost to taxpayers. Additionally, the Navy will bear the financial burden for modification, or unforeseen requirements to the plume remediation project during construction, as well as all costs incurred from regular maintenance requirements at the plant for a period of 30 years.
The scope of work at this plant site includes the removal of existing, outdated infrastructure present at the Plant, as well as the installation of two new air stripping units with vapor phase carbon filtration systems, installation of a new clear well that is five times the capacity of the existing system and updated housing units for wells 6-1 and 6-2. These new features at the plant will be in addition to the District’s full-scale Advanced Oxidation Processing (AOP) facility—one of the first of its kind in New York State—and Granular Activated Carbon Filtration units. This new infrastructure will work in conjunction to increase the District’s treatment capability exponentially to accommodate the high concentrations of contaminants within the Northrop Grumman Plume.