Business Council Of New York State Backs Desal Project

United Water announced Tuesday that The Business Council of New York State supports the utility’s proposed water desalination project. The Business Council is the state’s leading business organization representing 2,500 companies employing more than 1.2 million people.

“The Haverstraw Water Supply Project has undergone years of study, public hearings and environmental reviews,” said Business Council President and CEO Heather Briccetti. “Rockland County, the Public Service Commission, and the Department of Environmental Conservation all agree that a project like this is needed, and experts have found this to be the best option. Now is the time to move forward with the project so that Rockland can have a stable long-term water supply and a bright economic future.” 

The Business Council’s endorsement follows five others issued last week by New York State Senator Bill Larkin, the Rockland Construction & Building Trades Council, Construction Industry Council of the Hudson Valley, NAACP of the Mid-Hudson Region and Rockland Business Association. Local elected representatives met with state officials last Monday to discuss holding an Issues Conference about matters that remain unresolved since the submission of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Hudson River Water Treatment Plant as well as newly found information concerning water supplies.  

Michael Pointing, vice president and general manager for United Water New York said the endorsement was critical.

“This kind of support shows just how important this project is,” he said. “Rockland needs water and the Haverstraw Water Supply Project will get us on track to have a new supply online by 2015, in keeping with our order from the state.”

The endorsements may not be reflective of the organizations' membership views said one desal opponent. 

"However, these kinds of business association endorsements, like that of the Rockland Business Association, are often made from the top down, are limited in scope or understanding of all the real issues and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or input received of all its membership," said George Potanovic of the Rockland Water Coalition. "The fact is that desalination is an extremely expensive alternative for Rockland County and is not necessary at this time. We know that there many businesses in Rockland County who do not support United Water's desalination plant, which will dramatically increase water rates for businesses and tie them forever to higher energy rates in the future."  

The New York State Public Service Commission ordered United Water to have a new, long-term water supply operational by the end of 2015 to meet the county’s growing need for water.

The proposed Hudson River Water Treatment Plant will use reverse osmosis technology for water purification. According to United Water, nearly 10,000 samples taken from its Haverstraw Pilot Facility have shown that the water meets or surpasses EPA standards, even during severe storms and turbulent river conditions. United Water New York provides water service to about 295,000 people throughout Rockland County and parts of Orange County.