Mangano Launches Wastewater Plant Advisory Committee

“County Residents Deserve the Permanent Repair of STPs”

To further ensure the health and safety of Nassau County residents and our local environment, County Executive Edward P. Mangano today ordered the establishment of the Hurricane Sandy Wastewater Treatment Plant Advisory Committee. The 14-member committee will be charged with reviewing the plans and the progress of work at the County’s wastewater treatment plants. County Executive Mangano has called for an investment of over $700 million in repairs, however Democrat Legislators have withheld their support for full funding.

County Executive Mangano said, “Hurricane Sandy was catastrophic to the County’s critical infrastructure, specifically the wastewater treatment plants. I immediately ordered temporary repairs be made to protect the health of our residents. It is essential that we take every step to make permanent repairs to the plants. I am establishing this Hurricane Sandy Wastewater Treatment Plant Advisory Committee because it is imperative that the facilities can withstand the impact of future storms. Nothing can stand in the way of protecting the health of residents and strengthening the County’s infrastructure.”

Three committee members will be appointed by County Executive Mangano; one member by the Nassau County Legislature’s Presiding Officer and one by its Minority Leader. The Committee will also include one member from each of the following organizations: Citizens Campaign for the Environment; Operation Splash; Sludge Stoppers; League of Conservation Voters; Point Lookout Civic Association; Vision Long Island; and the Nassau Coalition of Civic Associations. Two representatives of the Nassau Suffolk Building Trade Council will also sit on the Committee.

The Hurricane Sandy Wastewater Treatment Plant Advisory Committee is to meet bi-monthly with the Commissioner of Public Works and the Office of Legislative Budget Review to evaluate the status/progress of the repair and rehabilitation of the wastewater treatment plants. They must address any issues that arise during the course of that work and, after each meeting, they are to submit a progress report to County Executive Mangano.