The Nassau County Coalition of Civic Associations (NCCCA), the Seaford Harbor Civic Association and the Massapequa Water District are hosting a Presentation by Massapequa Water Commissioner John Caruso on the status of the Grumman Plume.
At the June 27, 2012, NCCCA meeting in Glen Head, Massapequa Water Commissioner John Caruso spoke about the highly toxic groundwater plume emanating and migrating southward from the Grumman Aerospace Corporation / Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant (Grumman) site in Bethpage.
The NCCCA is planning an informational/action plan meeting in coordination with the Seaford Harbor Civic Association and the Massapequa Water District on July 19, 2012 at the Seaford Fire House. Commissioner Caruso will deliver a presentation.
The plume has closed down wells in Bethpage and last summer, caused Aqua Water to close one of its wells at the Levittown/Seaford border. The U.S. Navy is paying for and installing a massive filtration system at the Levittown/Seaford site to clean contaminants that have reached American Water's wells. However, this action will not stop the migration of the plume. The contaminated water will continue to migrate south. Local water districts want the cancer causing toxins to be removed before contaminants enter more drinking water supply wells or affect the Great South Bay. If not stopped, the plume will soon contaminate the water supply wells serving all of Seaford, Wantagh, Levittown, Massapequa, Bellmore and Merrick.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has proposed cleaning a playground in Bethpage, which is a very small area that has been contaminated by the plume. This would be the same as using a piece of gum to stop a leak in the Hoover Dam. It will not stop the migration of the plume. The DEC is accepting comments up until July 30, 2012.
The NCCCA believes this plume has created a severe and urgent problem that requires immediate attention. If the plume is not stopped now, it will reach Long Island's aquifers and affect the drinking water of 250,000 people. There are solutions, and the Governor can help address the issue-but public participation is needed. Please attend the meeting. Long Island's drinking water is at risk.
Please visit the Massapequa Water District website to learn more about the Grumman Plume and information about how to contact Governor Andrew Cuomo. The Governor needs to hear from us. We need to stop this plume NOW!
