Michael Levy Addresses 1,4 Dioxane Issues At Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association Meeting
Westbury, New York USA …………… With concerns about 1,4 Dioxane receiving enormous attention across Long Island, the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA), as part of its ongoing Educational Training Series, welcomed Michael Levy, Superintendent of the Garden City Park Water District as guest speaker.
Superintendent Levy discussed implementation of a Pilot Program at the Garden City Park Water District to remove 1,4 Dioxane through a chemical reaction and UV light. The program utilizes Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP), to address low level 1,4 Dioxane contamination in an out-of-service well. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not set a standard for 1,4 Dioxane, which is commonly used in everyday household products such as cosmetics, detergents and shampoos.
Mr. Levy explained that the Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP) chemical treatment procedures are “designed to remove organic materials in water and wastewater by oxidation through reactions with hydroxyl radicals. The primary treatment mechanism involves the reaction of UV light with hydrogen peroxide or chlorine to generate highly reactive hydroxyl radicals. Testing was performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of environmentally friendly carbon UV technologies, and to help facilitate a Pilot Test Plan, which, if proved successful, will be implemented across the District.”
Pre-Pilot testing included overcoming power issues, establishing effective chlorine dosing, and injection point relocation for the AOP Pilot Study, which was then submitted to the Nassau County Department of Health.
“Issues surrounding 1,4 Dioxane are of great concern to the public in all our 21 member districts and beyond, NSWCA President and Westbury Water Commissioner Vincent Abbatiello commented. “Superintendent Levy’s fact-filled presentation shed light on potential avenues of action while we await information on development of a regulatory standard for 1,4 Dioxane.”
The Garden City Park Water District services in excess of 18,000 people with infrastructure including over 76 miles of water main, two elevated tanks and more than 7,000 connections.
Photo caption: left to right:
- NSWCA Secretary and West Hempstead Water Commissioner Kenneth P. Wenthen Jr.
- NSWCA Second Vice President and Hicksville Water Commissioner William Schuckmann
- Guest speaker Superintendent Michael Levy, Garden City Park Water District
- NSWCA President and Westbury Water Commissioner Vincent Abbatiello
- NSWCA First Vice President and Oyster Bay Water Commissioner Michael F. Rich III
- NSWCA Treasurer and Carle Place Water District Water Commissioner Lawrence F. Zaino Jr.