The Bethpage Water District applauds United States Senator Charles Schumer for advocating on the behalf of Bethpage residents and expanding the federal government’s role in enforcing the tracking and remediation of the Northrop Grumman plume. Senator Schumer recently championed a bill focused on water infrastructure, which was recently signed into law by President Barack Obama. The United States Navy is now required to track the plume and provide annual updates on its location and travel patterns. The United States Navy must also develop a strategy to prevent areas at risk from being affected.
“The efforts shown by Senator Charles Schumer is another step forward for the Bethpage community and surrounding water districts,” said Board of Commissioners Elect Teri Black. “We must continue to find ways to hold the United States Navy and Northrop Grumman accountable for the damage they caused our neighbors and this district for decades.”
The United States Navy’s first report is due in six months, with subsequent reports due annually over the course of the next four years. It was Senator Charles Schumer who wrote the provision requiring the Navy to report to Congress. The report will include a description of contaminants leaving the site within a 10-mile radius, the plume’s travel pattern over time and possible consequences to drinking water supplies.
“The Bethpage Water District has spent millions on treatment and studies to ensure contaminants are removed from Bethpage drinking water and that it remains safe to use and drink,” said Board of Commissioners Treasurer John R. Sullivan. “It is time those actually responsible for the plume step up and do their parts as well. We are optimistic this law will be the pressure the US Navy needs to do so.”
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation had released a report that detailed several ways to remediate this plume. The report estimated the clean-up effort to cost between $268 million and $587 million.
“The burden to keep our water supply safe has been placed upon Bethpage residents for far too long,” said Board of Commissioners Secretary John F. Coumatos. “While we are grateful for the efforts made by Senator Schumer and New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, this community is ready to see some action.”
For more information, please contact the Bethpage Water District at 516-931-0093, visit www.bethpagewater.com or the