Image provided by Long Island Water Reuse Road Map & Action Plan

By Stephen Hadjiyane, PE, BCEE

Water quality and quantity challenges on Long Island have reached a critical point. Declining groundwater and surface water conditions pose significant risks to humans and ecosystems.

Long Island relies on its aquifers for drinking water, serving more than 2.5 million residents in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Decades of groundwater pumping and excess nitrogen pollution from outdated septic systems and agricultural runoff have worsened groundwater depletion and surface water degradation. This has led to harmful algal blooms, saltwater intrusion, and habitat loss.

The Long Island Water Reuse Roadmap — developed by the Seatuck Environmental Association and the Greentree Foundation, in association with IMEG — outlines a strategic plan to address these issues through innovative water reuse practices.

The roadmap identifies water reuse as a dual-solution strategy. Treated wastewater can be repurposed for irrigation, industrial processes, and ecological restoration, mitigating nitrogen pollution while conserving aquifer resources.

The roadmap also made these key recommendations:

  • Regulatory framework development: New York State must set up clear guidelines for water reuse, drawing on existing frameworks from states like California and Florida.
  • Promoting reuse projects: A Long Island Water Reuse Workgroup is recommended to advance initiatives, engage stakeholders, and secure funding through federal and state programs like the Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Bond Act.
  • Priority irrigation projects: Of the 92 potential irrigation projects identified, 17 have been classified as high priority (Tier 1), primarily involving golf courses. These projects promise significant nitrogen reduction and water conservation benefits, with estimated costs ranging from $4.4 to $28 million.
  • Expanding internal reuse: Encouraging wastewater treatment plants to reuse treated water for on-site processes is seen as a low-cost, high-impact opportunity.
  • Ecological and industrial applications: Using reclaimed water for streamflow augmentation and industrial cooling can address specific ecological and commercial needs.
  • Involvement of private wastewater treatment plants: Over 130 private treatment plants in Suffolk County offer untapped potential for water reuse initiatives.

The roadmap emphasizes stakeholder collaboration, engineering studies, pilot projects, and public outreach to overcome implementation barriers. A reuse matrix was developed to prioritize projects based on factors such as cost, nitrogen reduction, and infrastructure, ensuring strategic allocation of resources.

The roadmap provides a comprehensive vision for sustainable water management. By leveraging treated wastewater as a resource, Long Island can address its pressing water quality and quantity challenges while safeguarding its aquifers and ecosystems for future generations.

Learn more in the latest issue of NYWEA’s Clean Waters magazine or read the whole report here.