Improving water quality and service

Lynbrook-based Long Island American Water replaced a 60-year-old water main in Reynolds Channel and it is expected to improve service and drinking water quality for residents in Atlantic Beach, Lawrence, Cedarhurst and Inwood.

Richard Kern, director of operations for Long Island American Water (LIAW), said the three-month project, which was completed in October 2011, was prompted by the discovery that the pipe was nearing the end of its service life. The $1.5 million price tag for the Reynolds Channel pipeline project was paid for through the company’s budget.

According to Kern, the old pipeline had build up on the inside and there was leak as well, preventing water from easily being transferred. “The new pipe is smoother on the inside and allows water to be better transported,” he said.

“Our goal is to maintain the system,” Kern said. “Though customers necessarily won’t notice a difference, we want to maintain that level of service instead of degrade it.”

Using directional drilling, LIAW was able to dig underneath Reynolds Channel. This technique, which is done at an angle, is supposed to lessen disruption to the surrounding environment. “We drilled 25 feet below the surface so nothing in the channel was disturbed in any way,” Kern said.

The drilling was done in state regulated tidal wetland areas and that triggered the need for LIAW to obtain two tidal wetlands permits from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) last year. “It was because their starting and ending points were in tidal wetland regulated areas,” said DEC Regional Citizen Participation Specialist Bill Fonda.

Kern anticipates a positive outcome from the installation of the new pipeline. “There should be improved pressure year round,” he said. “And the pipe will be able to transport water better.”