The Bethpage Water District (BWD) is proud to announce it was recently honored by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) in receiving the 2021 National Innovation Award. The District received this coveted award for its commitment to advancing water treatment and pioneering the construction of new Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) treatment systems for the removal of 1,4-dioxane. Accepting the award on the District’s behalf was Superintendent, Michael Boufis, who has spearheaded all of the District’s AOP projects and has overseen the construction of each new treatment facility.
“We are truly honored and proud to receive the National Innovation Award from the AWWA as it recognizes the District’s unforgiving persistence at providing our residents with the highest-quality water possible and the lengths we will go to do so,” said BWD Chairman John Coumatos. “The District and our engineers have worked tirelessly to pilot these new treatment technologies and get these facilities constructed and operational in record time, ahead of the state’s new regulations taking effect.”
The Bethpage Water District was the first Nassau County water provider to have operation AOP treatment. They were also the first water provider in the world to have an approved Trojan Flex 100 AOP system, which is now the standard AOP system being used throughout Long Island. Construction of each of the District’s four AOP facilities began well before the State finalized its new maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) to regulate 1,4-dioxane back in August of 2020.
“The Bethpage Water District has taken and will continue to take every measure necessary to ensure the community’s water remains of the highest quality for generations to come,” said BWD Commissioner Theresa Black. “This Innovation Award from the AWWA is truly a testament to our team’s hard work inmaking sure water quality surpasses all federal, state and local guidelines.Me, my fellow commissioners and our staff love this community and we will continue to put it first in every action we take.”
The District currently has four Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) treatment facilities online at Plant 5, BGD, South Park Drive, and Plant 6. When construction is finalized at Plant 6, which exists within the Northrop/Grumman Plume, it will be the one of the most sophisticated water treatment facilities on the East Coast.
“As a lifelong Bethpage resident, seeing these treatment systems constructed for the betterment of our community is extremely rewarding,” said BWD Commissioner Scott Greco. “Our water quality has always been exceptional due to the District’s unwavering commitments, but to be recognized for our efforts on a national level is really something special. The BWD will never stop improving and innovating on behalf of our residents.”
An Advanced Oxidation Process treatment system, when combined with the installation for Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), is the only approved method to treat the drinking water of 1,4-dioxane. Furthermore, GAC treatment is also effective at removing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS).