MERRICK, NEW YORK (Sept. 6, 2022) – Liberty New York Water is taking extra steps to provide safe water to customers with its first (PFOA/PFOS) treatment facility. PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) are released into the environment from commercial and industrial sources, like non-stick cookware, food packaging, cleaning agents, and many other commonly used products. The new treatment facility uses granular activated carbon (GAC) to absorb the contaminants and prevent them from entering the water supply.
New York State adopted drinking water standards for public water systems that set maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) of 10 parts per trillion (10 ppt) each for PFOA and PFOS. GAC treatment filters are lined with 20,000 pounds each, for a total of 80,000 pounds of activated carbon. Contaminants are absorbed into the carbon, preventing the materials from passing into the distribution system. In addition to routine sampling and testing, the carbon media filters are changed at appropriate intervals so that no contaminants break through to the water supply.
The Glen Head water plant currently houses one well that is 325 feet deep with a capacity of 1,400 gallons of water per minute. Like most of Long Island’s water supply, the well pulls water from the Magothy aquifer.
The local Glen Head community played an integral role in determining the facility’s architectural structure to help maintain a residential feel.