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A recent 83-page hydrology report from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) highlights groundwater issues in Nassau and Queens counties, but critics argue it ignores a key factor: the impact of sewage systems on saltwater intrusion. This issue has long been a concern in Nassau County, where wastewater is discharged into coastal waters rather than recharging local aquifers.
John Turner, a senior advocate with the Seatuck Environmental Association, points out that Nassau’s reliance on sewers is a major reason for the depletion of freshwater aquifers. He notes that the county, which is 85% sewered, has seen lakes and streams shrink as a result of the lowered water table. For example, Hempstead Lake has become “Hempstead Pond,” illustrating the ongoing crisis.
The report fails to address how Nassau’s sewage treatment plants, which discharge effluent into surrounding waters, have contributed to the saltwater intrusion. Turner has been vocal in calling for Nassau to follow Suffolk’s example by recharging treated wastewater back into the underground water table instead of discharging it into the ocean.
Turner also emphasizes the importance of maintaining the freshwater aquifer’s volume to prevent saltwater intrusion. “When there’s less freshwater in the aquifer, saltwater moves in,” he explains, underscoring the need for sustainable water management. Despite this, the USGS report does not explore the causes of saltwater intrusion, a major oversight according to experts like Turner.
DEC’s response to the report acknowledges the omission and hints at future studies that may address these concerns. According to DEC, the current phase of the study is just the beginning, and future phases will analyze more data and scenarios to better understand how to protect the aquifer system, including policies aimed at preserving Long Island’s groundwater resources.
This issue is particularly relevant as Suffolk County prepares for a referendum in November that could raise significant funds for new sewers and high-tech septic systems. If approved, this initiative could generate $3 to $4 billion, with half of the funds earmarked for sewering. However, Turner and others warn that Suffolk must avoid Nassau’s mistakes, where extensive sewering has compromised the aquifer’s health.
Currently, Suffolk County is only 25% sewered, but many sewage treatment plants, like the Bergen Point Wastewater Treatment Plant in West Babylon, also discharge into the ocean. The plant, which handles 30 million gallons of wastewater per day, has been a point of concern for decades. Critics argue that Suffolk must find a way to recycle wastewater rather than discharging it, to avoid the same groundwater depletion seen in Nassau.
Suffolk’s county executive, Ed Romaine, has shown a willingness to explore alternative solutions. In a recent meeting with Seatuck representatives, he directed his team to investigate ways to reuse wastewater from the Bergen Point plant, possibly by irrigating nearby county-owned properties. This follows the example set by the Riverhead reuse project, which has successfully used treated wastewater to irrigate a county golf course since 2016.
A follow-up report from USGS and DEC on Suffolk County’s groundwater is expected next year. Environmentalists hope that this study will address the critical issue of wastewater reuse and its role in preventing saltwater intrusion, ensuring a sustainable water future for Suffolk County.
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