In a conservative effort to help ease the financial burden of residents, the Hicksville Water District announced an agreement with seven local licensed plumbers and irrigation companies to perform backflow testing for all customers at a reduced, fixed rate of $45. A listing of all licensed professionals can be found on the water district's website (www.hicksvillewater.org).

While the district does not endorse these companies, all of whom are New York State (NYS) certified and insured, District customers are free to choose whomever they want to test their backflow device, as long as they are certified by NYS.

"As community-minded citizens of the Hicksville Water District, we understand the financial pressures that most of our neighbors are feeling lately," said Commissioner Karl Schweitzer. "Since backflow prevention testing is mandated by the State of New York, we wanted to create a cost-effective solution for our customers to hire a licensed professional to perform the task at a fraction of the cost."

Schweitzer added, "We live in the district too, so we have a deep sense of personal responsibility to our community to provide fiscal, operational and safety measures that affect us all.

For more information, contact the Hicksville Water District at 4 Dean Street, Hicksville, NY 11801; 931-0184; or visit www.hicksvillewater.org.