Water Conference Seeks Stimulus Funding for L.I. Drinking Water Projects

Melville, NY - The Long Island Water Conference (LIWC) announced today that Long Island water suppliers currently have over $150 million in shovel ready projects for 2009 and called upon federal and state officials to include some of these projects in the economic stimulus legislation currently under consideration.  The projects range from water main installation replacement, water treatment systems to remove contamination and various rehabilitation of
aging supply wells, pump stations and water storage tanks.

“We are calling on our elected officials to support drinking water infrastructure funding in the economic stimulus packages currently under consideration,” said chairman Joe Pokorny.  “These projects can translate into more then 2,000 jobs on Long Island. This critical work would improve our economy, our environment, and our quality of life for years to come.”

Among the shovel ready projects highlighted by the LIWC are:

•  Transmission Mains  – Suffolk County Water Authority.
• Wellhead Treatment Systems – Dix Hills Water District; Greenlawn Water District; Oyster Bay Water District; Hicksville Water District; South Huntington Water District; South Farmingdale Water District; and the Water Authority of Great Neck North.
• Tank Repainting – the Village of Rockville Centre; the Village of Farmingdale; and the Manhasset-Lakeville Water District.
• System Security and Control System – Franklin Square Water District.

“There should be no hesitation in allocating funding towards protecting our drinking water,” added Oyster Bay Water District Commissioner and LIWC member Robert McEvoy.  “These are vital projects for the protection of the public’s health that should on everyone’s list.  When talking about funding  infrastructure projects officials need to include the public water supply industry.”

According to the American Water Works Association, a national organization representing drinking water suppliers, more then $10 billion in drinking water infrastructure projects are shovel ready and can be underway as soon as funds are committed.  These projects would put more then 400,000 Americans to work throughout the country.

About the Long Island Water Conference
The LIWC has been committed to providing pure and plentiful water for the Long Island community since 1951.  The LIWC aims to provide and maintain an adequate and safe water supply today, while anticipating the water concerns of future generations.  LIWC members provide more than 375 million gallons of clean water daily. 

For more information visit www.liwc.org.