Hicksville Water District Announces Proactive Water Investigation

April 26, 2017

Hicksville, NY (April 26, 2017) – The Hicksville Water District (HWD), is working with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to investigate reports of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) detected in a water well at District Plant #5. Although concentrations of MTBE have never been detected in the final, treated drinking water that is delivered to District residents or exceeded the rigorous state and federal standards for safe and clean water, the District aims to determine the nature and extent of the contamination in partnership with the DEC.

“Upon detecting trace levels of MTBE during our routine water testing, we wrote a letter to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) requesting their support to investigate finding the unknown source,” said William Schuckmann, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. “The District is committed to finding and eliminating the cause of the contamination and is thankful for cooperation from the DEC.”

The investigation will utilize New York State Environmental Protection and Spill Compensation Fund monies to cover the scope of work. Beginning the week of April 24, 2017, under the direction of DEC and in cooperation with the Hicksville Water District, Cascade Drilling will be installing two deep monitoring wells. The District and DEC have alerted residents in the surrounding areas of the two drill locations, which will be positioned at the northwest corner of August Lane and Acre Lane, as well as at the northwest corner of Atlas Lane and Acre Lane.

“Partnering with the DEC will help accomplish our goal quickly and efficiently so we can continue to safeguard the quality of water for every Hicksville resident,” added Schuckmann. “Every effort will be made to minimize disruptions to the local neighborhood and community.”

Each well will take approximately 10 days to complete testing and drilling operations will be conducted between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays. Additionally, Rotosonic drilling techniques, which decrease drilling duration and drilling fluids, will be implemented in order to reduce disturbance to the neighborhood.

For more information on the Hicksville Water District, please visit www.hicksvillewater.org or add the District on Facebook at facebook.com/HicksvilleWaterDistrict.