The district, represented by the law firm Weitz and Luxenburg, P.C., aims to receive additional compensation for costly water treatment technology and construction of new wells outside the plume area.
“We need to hold Northrop Grumman responsible for past transgressions to ensure our neighbors are not burdened by treatment costs,” said Chairman William J. Ellinger. “We will not give up the fight to protect our community and provide an uninterrupted, high quality water supply.”
The lawsuit, originally filed in November of last year, alleged improper disposal of chemicals from 1949-1962 throughout the former Grumman Aerospace-Bethpage Facility Site. The amended claim now encompasses higher levels of trichloroethylene (TCE) discovered in areas where lesser volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were previously detected. This higher concentration of TCE was recently reported by the Navy from new test wells at a depth level the DEC originally thought would not be affected. The Northrop Grumman Corporation would be required to cover years of extra treatment costs that would otherwise have to be borne by the rate payers.
“We have completed over 1,000 tests above those required by the Nassau County Department of Health this year alone,” said Treasurer John R. Sullivan. “We remind our neighbors that our water is and will continue to be completely safe to drink. It is the goal of this lawsuit to continue providing you with the highest quality water at a lower cost.”
“Northrop Grumman has refused time and time again to work with the district in remediating the mess they created at the expense of the Bethpage community’s welfare,” said Secretary Gary S. Bretton. “It is time they are held accountable for their actions, and we refuse to let any damage they caused go unnoticed.”
The court has not yet decided whether the district will be able to amend its complaint. For updates and additional information please visit the Navy’s update website at http://go.usa.gov/DyXF, the District’s Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/bethpagewaterdistrict, the District’s website at www.bethpagewater.com or contact the Bethpage Water District at 516-931-0093.