New York State Assemblyman Michael LiPetri and other state officials gathered last Wednesday morning to discuss the formation of a new state task force on water quality. The new task force will be responsible for helping to try to solve water quality issues throughout the state and on Long Island.
“We plan to hold a series of regional forums across the state over the next few months to identify and target weaknesses in our water quality infrastructure,” said LiPetri, who is co-chairperson of the Assembly Minority Task Force on Water Quality. “Our current infrastructure is very dated, some of it going back to the 1920s. This is a life-threatening issue we face now and one that will affect our children and grandchildren.”
The purpose of the forums will be to address current problems, concerns of local residents regarding their water quality issues and possible solutions to future problems.
“Things we’ll be looking to deal with in each individual region include adequate funding in place for repairs, efficient methods of dealing with problems if they arise and advanced technologies leading to better overall water quality,” said LiPetri.
He added that current estimates show over the next 20 years, $80 billion will need to be spent on water repairs due to neglected and aging infrastructure.
“These will include things like new ways to access drinking water and on wastewater treatment facilities because in the past century, these things have not been maintained,” said LiPetri.
Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, echoed LiPetri’s statement saying that Long Island and the rest of New York State are in dire need of water quality updates.
“Unfortunately, there are numerous water quality concerns across Long Island including toxic plumes, drinking water contamination, harmful algae blooms in our bays and more,” said Esposito. “I am delighted that Assemblyman Lipetri has made this important public health issue a priority. Public hearings around the state will provide a pathway to identify water quality challenges, funding needs and solutions. The task force can help focus state government on this critical issue so we can implement necessary water protection measures.”
