CP Water Gets $14.8 Mil Bond

Written by Cory Twibell Friday, 15 February 2013 00:00

Town-issued bond to be used for facility upgrades

The Town of North Hempstead recently issued a $14.8 million bond to the Carle Place Water District to meet demands of a rising population and address future contamination issues. 

“After careful consideration and conferring at great length with the district’s consulting engineers, the Carle Place Water District Board of Water Commissioners has concluded that the proposed improvements and bond issue request are necessary for the district to continue to meet all current regulatory requirements for potable drinking water and fire flow demands,” said Water Commissioner and Chairman Timothy E. Stellato. 

Components of the capital improvement plan include: 

-Construction of a new pump station (Well 1A) to increase water supply;

-Construction of packed tower aeration systems for the removal of volatile organic compounds to improve water treatment;

-Construction of ion exchange systems for the removal of perchlorate and nitrate;

-Painting and miscellaneous repairs to the interior and exterior of the water tower to improve water supply;

-Electrical improvements with the installation of generators to provide standby emergency power and; 

-Installation of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA). 

Proposed housing and extensive commercial development in the district in recent years have increased the need for an additional water supply, according to several engineering studies. An additional well house will help the district meet system capacity and comply with larger flow requirements for fire protection.

While the water presently supplied to consumers from existing wells meets current regulatory guidelines for potable drinking water, the district is detecting increasing nitrate trends and occasional traces of volatile organic compounds– none of which have exceeded maximum allowable levels to date. The district, which serves nearly 9,000 residents, won awards for best tasting tap water in Nassau County in 1985 and 2005. 

Additionally, with neighboring water suppliers utilizing packed tower aeration facilities to address treatable levels of organic compounds, it would be reasonable to expect to see the levels of organic compounds increase in the Carle Place Water District in the near future, according to the engineer’s report, which recommended that the district begin planning for construction of treatment facilities at its well sites.

An estimated increase in the tax rate of $12 per month for a home assessed at the district average valuation of $398,000 will go into effect during a seven- to eight-year period, as bond projects progress and become completed.

“These projects take time to plan and develop, so we are moving ahead now in the interest of public health and safety,” Stellato said. 

Additional questions from the public may be directed to the district office Monday through Friday, during regular business hours of 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (516) 333-0540.