New Water Tower Proposed for Wantagh

Aqua New York is proposing the construction of an over 150-foot water tower in Wantagh as a way to enhance to what the company describes as low water pressure in the area it services.

The tower Aqua New York is proposing would be constructed on DeMott Avenue in Wantagh just west of the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway and east of Temple Drive. Aqua has also submitted an application with the Town of Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) to construct two smaller one-story structures including a chemical /electrical building and water well facility at the same location.

Aqua New York serves more than 152,000 residents in the New York City metropolitan area including the communities of Wantagh, Seaford, Merrick, Bellmore, Levittown, Massapequa Park, East Massapequa and parts of Glen Cove. It is a subsidiary of Aqua America, which posted $104 million net income in 2009. The Southeastern Nassau County Water Authority has held recent meetings discussing a possible takeover of Aqua because of high rates.

Some Wantagh residents who live in the vicinity of where Aqua's new water tower would be constructed are expressing concerns about how the project will impact their neighborhood.

“Putting this tower up in the woods, would take away from the look and feel of the area that we live,” said John Masterson, who moved to DeMott Avenue eight years ago. “DeMott Avenue is a close knit group and all of us are concerned with the effects this tower would have. Besides the effect on property value, it would be a major eyesore for those who live near this facility.”  

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray sent a letter to residents near the proposed Aqua projects saying they have requested that the company “hold a well-publicized community meeting on the proposal.”

Aqua spokesperson Don Miller said the company is working on organizing a community meeting next month to explain the proposed water tower and why the project is needed. He said the project would improve water pressure in the entire system that Aqua serves in southeast Nassau County. He emphasized that one important component the tower would address is public safety since area fire hydrants are in need of adequate water pressure in emergency situations.

"All customers and fire districts in those communities would see an increase in water pressure with a new tower," said Miller. “We’re willing to go out to the community and explain the project and listen to people’s concerns."

A zoning board meeting on Aqua’s smaller proposal to construct two one-story structures is scheduled for this Wednesday at Hempstead Town Hall starting at 2 p.m. Aqua’s application for the over 150-foot water tower is scheduled go before the Hempstead BZA on July 27 at 2 p.m.