While touring the newest water treatment air stripper in the Manhasset-Lakeville Water District's arsenal to keep pure water flowing at an average rate of 14 million gallons a day in the summertime, it was reassuring to know that the Campbell plant can be run entirely by computers, all linked and chatting with each other at each step in the process as safeguards, and even more reassuring to know that it can be operated manually as well. Since there will be more talk of water treatment facilities in the coming months as various plans are discussed to pump and remove the contaminants from the plume from the former Unisys property, we asked Paul Schrader, superintendent of Manhasset-Lakeville Water District to give us a refresher course in "how the heck do you scrub water?"

The Campbell plant, which is not open for business yet as final tests are run on the system, will treat water from four wells and has the capacity to accept water from two additional wells if need be. According to Mr. Schrader, "It doesn't get more efficient than this. This is truly state-of-the-art technology." It took three years to build at a cost of 7 million and if running at full tilt can provide 8 million gallons a day. On average it will probably pump and treat 2-4 million gallons a day.

From the outside, the plant looks like an ordinary brick building, unobtrusive and neatly landscaped. Since it is sited within the gated community of Spruce Ponds, it was designed to fit in visually and to operate quietly. But once inside, there are two 30-foot high towers, cylindrical in shape and filled with a "filter medium." Although the term "wiffle ball" is not very technical, it does best describe the medium for the layperson. These are small, plastic, hollow balls that are perforated to provide maximum surface area for the water that trickles down from the top of the tower. Air is blown into the tower from the bottom causing the balls to dance in a turbulent fashion. Since volatile organic compounds are the contaminants to be scrubbed from the water and since they "prefer" the gaseous state, the molecules are disbursed into the air.

The interior of the plant has a futuristic look. The pipes are wrapped with a fiber-glass insulation to reduce condensation resulting in clean, safe flooring underneath. There are walls of computers that regulate the pressure of the water, the flow of air, the rate of chorine injection and sample the pH of the water. And all along the way, if a snarl occurs, the system will self-correct. There are redundant energy sources as well to ensure water production in emergency situations.

The water from all of Manhasset-Lakeville's wells goes through a battery of tests monthly to make sure that the drinking water has no detectable contaminants. Mr. Schrader said, "People might ask, 'Why don't you test it more than once a month?'" But water suppliers have learned over time that volatile organic compounds do not show up overnight. Tests for bacteria levels are run more frequently, however. Mr. Schrader went on to say that chorine is added to the water to protect it after it leaves the treatment station and as it travels in the water mains and into homes and businesses.

And why such a fuss about water? Only 2.5 percent of water on Earth is fresh water. Of that, much is frozen solid in glaciers, leaving less than 0.08 of 1 percent for human consumption. Stewardship of limited water resources is an increasingly important mission that Manhasset-Lakeville Water District takes seriously.