On Aug. 30, elections for the Hicksville Water District will take place. This year, one seat is up for grabs and incumbent Karl Schweitzer, current district chairman, is seeking re-election unopposed to a second, three-year term.

Schweitzer is a lifelong resident of Hicksville who has been involved with the Gregory Museum, Chamber of Commerce and St. Ignatius Loyola R.C. Church. For the past 25 years, he has been an active volunteer firefighter, serving on various committees and holding all ranks of office, including chief of department from 1996 to 1997. Professionally, Schweitzer is employed with Con Edison of New York where he focuses on worker safety and monitors environmental activities such as PCBs, lead, asbestos and hazardous waste issues.

Through several initiatives over the last three years, Schweitzer has worked to increase revenues totaling more than $2 million to be used for capital projects and has worked to stabilize property tax increases and not raise consumer rates. "This was accomplished by contracting with several cell phone providers to erect antennas on our two elevated water storage tanks," said Schweitzer.

Additionally, and most recently, Schweitzer said the district increased its bottom-line revenue while helping to create a more reliable and efficient electricity grid system for Long Island by contracting with an energy demand response and management solutions company to utilize our standby emergency power. The district has also implemented full-scale use of the SCADA system, which uses technology to run certain efficient plants during peak times while utilizing less efficient wells during off-peak hours. "A reduction in our energy-saving potential is estimated at over $50,000 each year," he said.

Since being elected in 2003, Schweitzer and the water district board have worked to ensure an adequate supply of water for future generations by adding capacity. The Plant 3 well site had a test-well drilled in 2004 with positive results and the district has planned for a new well, he said, adding, "This will enable the district to boost its water supply and increase the pressure to the south end of Hicksville, something that has been lacking on hot summer days."

Additionally, the district has reached an agreement with the Town of Oyster Bay and Nassau County to acquire a section of land adjacent to Plant 11 on Plainview Road. "This agreement provides the ability to install a second well without treatment, thus boosting our current capacity," said Schweitzer.

The water district, said Schweitzer, is holding polluters responsible for groundwater contamination by aggressively pursuing those who pollute our water supply and hold them accountable for their actions. "Over the last three years, the district has entered into litigation for groundwater contamination and will recover the previous costs associated with treatment systems and the costs to operate these units," he said. "Additional costs for future treatment systems and maintenance are also included in the litigation."

As a commissioner, Schweitzer worked to create a Master Plan for District Operations that projects the district's planning efforts over the next 15 to 20 years. "Many things have changed since the last report in 1986 and projects and priorities needed an overhaul," he said, "The district teamed up with our consulting engineer and addressed existing and proposed water quality regulations along with an evaluation of the demand for water."

To meet these needs, the plan also addresses recommendations for maintaining, upgrading and expanding the district's facilities. "The plan makes recommendations with respect to system capacity, water quality and treatment and future demand," said Schweitzer. "Particular attention is paid to water quality issues and recently implemented as well as proposed federal and state requirements for additional water quality monitoring requirements."

As a member of the board, Schweitzer said he continues to try and find creative ways to keep the community informed about developments in the district and try and increase public participation in the process. Water commissioners attend local community meetings and, in 2004, the district established an annual public forum to discuss information related to the district and its residents. The district has also stepped up its communication by using the Hicksville Illustrated News, redesigning its informative newsletter, holding water conservation program contests in schools and, most recently, launched an interactive website (www.hicksvillewater.org) where residents can get up-to-date information.

"Community involvement has always been a top priority of the board as a way to eliminate any doubts that our residents may have in their water supply system. The district has not been an 'invisible' government entity, but rather a full community service organization, operated in a manner that is open to our residents," said Schweitzer. "Our residents should be assured that there is no veil of secrecy or clandestine business operations being conducted. Members of the community have always been encouraged to attend board meetings during the month and observe the way business is conducted."

The election for water commissioner will be held at Hicksville Fire Department Headquarters, 20 East Marie Street, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30. All registered voters of the Hicksville Water District are eligible to vote; absentee ballots are available by visiting the Hicksville Water District Operations Center, which is located at 4 Dean Street.