Water

Sound Bites: Study finds Fire Island has poor wastewater treatment options

Sound Bites: Study finds Fire Island has poor wastewater treatment options

Good morning. The Citizens Campaign for the Environment presented findings from a study of Fire Island’s wastewater challenges to the Suffolk County Legislature this week. They say the island only has one small sewage treatment plant, forcing most residents to use septic or cesspool systems. This single plant and other aging systems contribute to harmful algal blooms, and loss of fisheries in the surrounding waterways.

Fire Island sewage study addresses nitrogen pollution, recommends solutions

Fire Island sewage study addresses nitrogen pollution, recommends solutions

A groundbreaking new study on sewage solutions for Fire Island recommends piping wastewater to Long Island among potential initiatives to address nitrogen pollution in the Great South Bay.

Experts focus on North Shore, South Shore sea level rise at nextLI town hall

Experts focus on North Shore, South Shore sea level rise at nextLI town hall

Experts in local government, the insurance industry, the environment and marine science explored how sea level rise could affect South Shore and North Shore communities during a nextLI Town Hall that airs Tuesday on NewsdayTV.

Sound Bites: CT needs faster adoption of EVs, state watchdog says

Sound Bites: CT needs faster adoption of EVs, state watchdog says

Connecticut has made progress to protect its land, water and air over the last decade — but struggles to control greenhouse gas emissions that worsen climate change, according to the Connecticut Council on Environmental Quality. A report from the state watchdog blames the transportation sector for the emissions increase last year. The Council recommends a faster adoption of electric vehicles, less fuel consumption, and more use of public transit. 

Sweeping measure on packaging recycling advances in New York State Legislature

Sweeping measure on packaging recycling advances in New York State Legislature

ALBANY — The State Legislature has agreed to a deal that would require large companies in New York to significantly decrease millions of tons of packaging waste each year, including plastic packs of food, cans, detergent bottles and single-use cups and cardboard.

Suffolk takes step toward sales tax hike to fund sewers

Suffolk takes step toward sales tax hike to fund sewers

Suffolk County lawmakers on Tuesday moved a step closer to allowing residents to vote in a November referendum on a proposed 0.125% sales tax increase to fund a sweeping expansion of sewers and high-tech septic systems throughout the county.

HAMPTON BAYS CLEANUP HIGHLIGHTS COMPLEXITY OF PFAS REMEDIATION

HAMPTON BAYS CLEANUP HIGHLIGHTS COMPLEXITY OF PFAS REMEDIATION

As communities across the country decide how they will remove perfluorinated compounds from drinking water and contaminated soils, a cleanup surrounding the Hampton Bays Fire Department headquarters on Montauk Highway highlights the complex layers of bureaucracy underlying the removal of so-called “forever chemicals.”

Governor signs change to law authorizing Suffolk sales tax hike, teeing up November vote

Governor signs change to law authorizing Suffolk sales tax hike, teeing up November vote

An amendment to the law that allows Suffolk County to increase its sales tax rate by 1/8 of a cent to finance the installation of sewer and advanced septic systems was signed into law today by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The governor’s signature on the amendment, negotiated by state and county lawmakers, sets the stage for the county to put a referendum on ballot in this year’s general election seeking voter approval of the sales tax increase.

Governor Hochul Signs Legislation to Protect Public Health, Improve Water Quality in Suffolk County

Governor Hochul Signs Legislation to Protect Public Health, Improve Water Quality in Suffolk County

Legislation S.8473/A.8993 Amends the Suffolk Water Quality Restoration Act

Advances Ballot Referendum to Fund Long Term Investments in Clean Water for Suffolk County

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed the Suffolk Water Quality Restoration Act to protect public health and improve water quality. Legislation S.8473/A.8993 will allow Suffolk County to put forward a ballot referendum that would fund long term investments in clean water systems and technology – revitalizing wastewater infrastructure for the residents of Suffolk County.

Hempstead drinking water said to contain high levels of cancer-causing chemicals

Hempstead drinking water said to contain high levels of cancer-causing chemicals

Hempstead water has cancer-causing chemicals

Scientists say the drinking water in Hempstead is contaminated with a likely cancer-causing chemical. FOX 5 NY's Jodi Goldberg takes a closer look.

Legislators, Advocates Urge Albany to Take Action to Protect Against PFAS Exposure

Legislators, Advocates Urge Albany to Take Action to Protect Against PFAS Exposure

ALBANY, NY (May 15, 2024) — Today state legislators and advocates called for the immediate passage of a set of bills to reduce human exposure to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and limit environmental contamination from PFAS in New York, including:

  • a bill to eliminate PFAS in key consumer and household products (A3556C/S5648C),

  • a bill to eliminate PFAS and other toxic chemicals in personal care and cosmetic products (A6969/S4265), 

  • a bill to eliminate PFAS and other toxic products in menstrual products (A5990/S3529), 

  • and a bill to require testing for the presence of PFAS released into waterways (A3296A/S227B). 

Citizens Campaign, Seatuck Environmental get grants from Long Island Sound community fund

Citizens Campaign, Seatuck Environmental get grants from Long Island Sound community fund

Citizens Campaign for the Environment plans to use grant money to take Uniondale High School students on explorations of Long Island Sound, introducing them to the natural world to help them “fall in love with our marine waters” and become good stewards of the environment, the group's executive director said.

Meeting held over next steps for cleanup at Bethpage Community Park

Meeting held over next steps for cleanup at Bethpage Community Park

Watch the video here: https://longisland.news12.com/meeting-held-over-next-steps-for-cleanup-at-bethpage-community-park

Members of the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Environmental Conservation, the Navy and Northrop Grumman were at the meeting, which News 12 was not allowed into.

Carcinogen found again, 4 years after Superfund site cleanup

Carcinogen found again, 4 years after Superfund site cleanup

Four years after cleaning up waste at a Superfund site in West Islip, the state again has detected high levels of a carcinogenic heavy metal in the area — kicking off a blame game among stakeholders in the area that includes outraged residents. 

Toxic Chemicals Found Again At West Islip Superfund Site: Report

Toxic Chemicals Found Again At West Islip Superfund Site: Report

The state has once again detected high levels of carcinogenic heavy metals in West Islip, Newsday says.

WEST ISLIP, NY — New York State has again detected high levels of cadmium, a carcinogenic heavy metal, at a Superfund site in West Islip four years after the waste was initially cleaned up, according to a report from Newsday.

Long Islanders taught about dangers of toxic pollutants in drinking water

Long Islanders taught about dangers of toxic pollutants in drinking water

The meeting, organized by the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, took place at the Hicksville Public Library Monday night and talked about 1,4 dioxane.

Yale researchers spoke with Hicksville residents about a toxic pollutant found in the drinking water on the island and shared how Long Islanders could be the key to learning more about it.

We need to have the best water possible

We need to have the best water possible

All Long Islanders agree about the need for clean water [“Clean-water funding is crucial in state budget,” Opinion, March 24]. Nitrogen pollution from sewage is causing water quality impairments, fish kills and harmful algal blooms. Contaminants poses a significant threat to our drinking water and health. The good news is that we know how to solve these problems, but we need money.

DEC: Chemical drums buried at Bethpage park are 'no immediate threat to public health' at site

DEC: Chemical drums buried at Bethpage park are 'no immediate threat to public health' at site

Workers wearing protective gear toiled Wednesday by a pit at Bethpage Community Park where contractors found six chemical drums last week as state officials said the discovery presented “no immediate threat to public health” at the site where Grumman Aerospace dumped toxins decades ago.