The Port Washington Water District’s mandatory irrigation rules and conservation guidelines.

Irrigation Rules

Sustainable Garden Tour on June 18, 2022 – Organized by ReWild Long Island and The Port Washington Water District

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As part of our “Do It For Port” water conservation campaign, we invite residents to take part in a ‘show and tell’ of beautiful, low water, earth-friendly landscapes around Port.

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To read the Port Washington Water District’s Quarterly Deferral Report 2021-01 click the link below.

PWWD Deferral Quarterly Report 2021-04-09

State grants extension allowing for needed time to construct 1,4-dioxane treatment systems

Prepare to reduce irrigation 20% to meet District’s goal of keeping impacted wells offline until treatment is completed

The Port Washington Water District (PWWD) has received a compliance deferral from New York State, which will allow the District the needed time to design and construct the treatment systems to remove 1,4-dioxane. The State will only grant the two-year compliance deferral to water providers that have an action plan to construct advanced oxidation process (AOP) treatment system, which is required to meet the State’s new maximum contaminant level (MCL) for 1,4-dioxane.

“The District’s goal is to keep the impacted wells offline by requiring the community to reduce irrigation by 20% while we work aggressively to get the needed treatment systems up and running,” stated David Brackett, Chairman of the PWWD.     “The compliance deferral is a proactive measure reserved for extreme weather or emergency circumstances.  However, if we are to meet the water needs of our community during the hotter months—while simultaneously keeping wells offline to construct required treatment—the Port Washington community must reduce irrigation usage by 20 percent.”

On August 26, 2020, the New York State Health Department finalized regulations establishing MCLs for 1,4-dioxane at 1 part per billion (ppb). Currently, three of the District’s 12 supply wells have had detections of 1,4-dioxane at or above 1 part per billion.  According to the New York State Health Department, “The MCLs are set well below levels known to cause health effects in animal studies. Therefore, consuming water with PFOA, PFOS or 1,4-dioxane at the level detected does not pose a significant health risk. Your water continues to be acceptable for all uses.”

“Extensive analysis went into creating a water resource management plan for this summer that manages our limited capacity,” stated Commissioner Mindy Germain. “It is important that residents start taking steps now to prepare to reduce irrigation.”

“We are alerting you now to provide plenty of time to advise contractors, consider landscaping choices and consider applying for a smart irrigation controller rebate, stated Commissioner Peter Meyer.

A winter mailing will go out to all customers of the PWWD with detailed instructions to:

• Turn back watering times for each zone by four minutes as it will help save up to 20 percent on overall usage.
• Addresses that fall within a particular geographic zone are required to follow the time schedule for automatic irrigation system watering established within that specific zone (SEE MAP)
• Check for leaks or broken sprinkler heads that waste water unnecessarily.
• Ensure that irrigation clocks are adhering to Nassau County’s Odd/Even Lawn Watering Ordinance (see next page for more details).
• Ensure automatic rain and soil moisture sensors are working properly.
• Consider installing a smart irrigation controller. The District has $150 rebates available to residents who make the switch.
• Make good landscaping choices, such as integration of native/drought resistant plans and xeriscaping, as this will lead to lower water usage.

To learn more about the compliance deferral and the proactive steps the District has and continues to take to address the detection of these contaminants, please visit www.pwwd.org. If you would like a printed copy of the deferral notice, please call the District at 516-767-0171 or send an email to info@pwwd.org. To access new irrigation requirements, as well as tools and resources, please visit www.pwwd.org/conservation.

MORE ABOUT THE TREATMENT:

AOP treatment, when coupled with granular activated carbon (GAC), is currently the only approved method in Nassau County to rid the water supply of 1,4-dioxane. This treatment combination is also capable of removing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), should detections of these contaminants ever near the State’s new maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). AOP treatment works by mixing an oxidant, in this case hydrogen peroxide, with water and running it through ultraviolet light. This makes a chemical reaction that destroys the 1,4-dioxane molecules. The water then runs through the GAC filters which removes any remaining hydrogen peroxide and impurities prior to entering the public distribution system.

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The Port Washington Water District (PWWD) is seeking to build an additional treatment facility at the Christopher Morley Parkwell well site. Approval for the land use provides the District with the space needed to construct the state-of-the-art facility that will effectively remove emerging contaminants 1,4-dioxane and PFOA/PFOS from the community’s drinking water. This well site produces approximately 60 percent of the water within the Port Washington Water District’s service territory, including St. Francis Hospital.

PWWD will be hosting three (3) public forums/ information sessions regarding this topic and encourage District consumers to attend one of the sessions to learn more about the topic.  Each of the sessions will be conducted through a webinar lead by the Port Washington Water District.  Q&A will be held at the end of each session.

Session #1:

July 23, 2020 • 10:00 a.m.

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/97692880274?pwd=M00rVkR1UmRpWGpLQUc1M2dnc2lQZz09
Password:  353377

Session #2:

July 23, 2020 • 6:30 p.m.

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/92953887817?pwd=RkdmMWEyR29HOUdUMm1oQmF4L2h3QT09
Password:  964449

Session #3:

July 27, 2020 • 12:00 p.m.

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/99011577912?pwd=c1FseDR3U25VSGMzZkVOa1R0cUhudz09
Password:  526533

The spread of the coronavirus represents an unprecedented situation. The Port Washington Water District has been proactive in addressing the situation and adhering to the conditions of the state of emergency for the public wellbeing.

In accordance with Federal and State regulations, the Port Washington Water District produces an Annual Drinking Water Quality Report. This in-depth report is filled with important information regarding water quality, cost, sources, treatment and more. The most recent Drinking Water Quality Report can be found on our Water Quality page and can be viewed online as a PDF.