It lies beneath us and, without thinking much about it, we all rely on it to survive. But what is the state of Long Island’s aquifer — the sole source of drinking water for the island’s nearly 8 million residents? Is it polluted or pristine? Abundant or depleted? What can be done to protect it?
That’s the subject of a report published last week by the Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection. The “State of the Aquifer” provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of Long Island’s aquifer. It provides basic information about the formation of the aquifer and how Long Islanders draw on it for their water supply, as well as identifies the major threats to the aquifer facing Long Island communities in the 21st century.
The full report can be read and downloaded here.
Commission members will present the report for public review and input at public hearings this month. An airing of the report on the East End is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 20 at the county center in Riverhead, beginning at 6 p.m.
Issues addressed in the report include the drinking water impacts of:
- sea level rise
- excessive pumping
- saltwater contamination
- contamination by volatile organic compounds such as chlorinated solvents and
fuel components - pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the water supply
- excessive nitrogen/nitrate levels
- pesticides
The Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection is a bi-county entity formed in 2013 to address both quality and quantity issues facing Long Island’s aquifer system and to advocate for a coordinated, regional approach to groundwater resources management.
The commission is working to create a blueprint for a coordinated approach to groundwater resources management on Long Island, according to a press release announcing the public hearings.
“The State of the Aquifer Report and the Groundwater Resources Management Plan will provide the impetus for a new era of groundwater management on Long Island. It is our sincere hope and expectation that others will build on the work we’ve started to protect forever this incredible natural resource,” the commission said.
The first of three public hearings takes place tonight at the William H. Rogers Legislature Building in Smithtown. A second hearing will be held Monday night in Mineola. The final hearing is in Riverhead Oct. 20. All start at 6 p.m.
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