What About Water?

In episode 25 of ‘What About Water?', SCWA CEO Jeff Szabo sits down with Chris Niebling, Deputy Director of Laboratory Services, and Dan Dubois, SCWA's Director of Communications and External Affairs to discuss SCWA's new water quality tool called ‘My Water Quality', which lets customers get a personalized report on the water being delivered right to their tap.

In episode 24 of ‘What About Water?', SCWA CEO Jeff Szabo sits down with Ty Fuller, SCWA's Director of Strategic Initiatives, and Jennifer Juengst, LICAP Board Member and Deputy County Executive for Suffolk County, to discuss the newly issued 2024 State of the Aquifer report. They explore the most pressing challenges facing Long Island's aquifer, including microplastics and emerging contaminants like PFAS, and highlight the progress being made to protect this vital resource.

In episode 23 of 'What About Water?', SCWA CEO Jeff Szabo sits down with Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine to discuss an important ballot initiative voters will be presented with this Election Day. The discussion delves into the history of water infrastructure on Long Island how the future of water will be shaped this November. They also discuss County Executive Romaine's personal history fighting to expand high quality drinking water in Suffolk County. 

In episode 22 of 'What About Water?', SCWA CEO Jeff Szabo sits down with Deputy CEO of Operations Joe Pokorny and Laboratory Project Manager Gavin Marsden to discuss the issue of lead in drinking water and the minimal threat the issue poses to Suffolk County. The discussion gets into the recent history of lead-related problems in other parts of the United States, and why Suffolk County doesn't have these same issues in our service territory.

In episode 21 of 'What About Water?', SCWA CEO Jeff Szabo sits down with Director of Strategic Initiatives Ty Fuller and Deputy Director of Production Control Phil Thompson to discuss topics surrounding conservation. The discussion delves into the complexities of maintaining our infrastructure during the hot, summer months and covers tips for how SCWA customers can conserve water this summer.

In Episode 20 of ‘What About Water?', we are answering questions from you, our customers. We asked you what you want to know the most about your drinking water. Our panel of experts are answering some of the most popular and interesting questions. We also have a snippet from SCWA Chairman Charles Lefkowitz's recent guest appearance on the TBR Podcast "Pressroom Afterhour".

In Episode 19 of ‘What About Water?', we are answering questions from you, our customers. We asked you what you want to know the most about your drinking water. Our panel of experts are answering some of the most popular and interesting questions. 

The foundation of any government is to provide basic essential services to the public so that they have an opportunity to lead a safe and healthy life.  One of those services, one that is essential to life, is providing safe drinking water.  But how do people respond when government fails to provide those services? What choices are made when the public is suspicious of government and drinking water suppliers? What happens when private drinking water companies exploit basic trust between government and drinking water suppliers for their own profit?Joining us today is Manny Teodoro, an assistant professor at the Robert M. Lafollette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin Madison.  Professor Teodoro is also the co-author of “Profits of Distrust – Citizen -Consumer, Drinking Water, and the Crisis of Confidence in American Government” Professor Teodoro provides a path forward with recommendations on how trust can be restored and the cycle of distrust can end. 

Summer is over and for the second year in a row Long Island experienced a significant drought. In fact since just 2016, Long Island has experienced five summer droughts and with climate change we could see even more in the future. That means residents fighting against nature to keep their gardens blooming and their grass green with huge amounts of lawn watering. Today we are talking about droughts, long periods of dry weather that leave our lawns scorched and keep our sprinklers running. While droughts aren't uncommon on Long Island, our plentiful reserves of water leave us in a very different position than other parts of the country. So, we are going to look westward to Las Vegas, Nevada where drought and water availability are always at the top of mind. We'll find out just how different Long Island is when it comes to drought struggles and if there are lessons to be learned from the west. Joining me today is John Entsminger, General Manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority 

We tend to talk about very local issues on this podcast, a very on the ground view of being a drinking water provider. But there is a huge amount of discussion at the national level about drinking water policy that will affect SCWA customers. In today's episode we sit down with AMWA CEO Tom dobbins to discuss drinking water on a national level.

Despite the significance of water in our lives, many people are unaware of the marvel that is the water cycle, and how it's responsible for providing the continuous water supply that fills Long Island's aquifers, the sole source of our drinking water.Today, we're going to talk about not just the water cycle, but how water enters our aquifers, is pulled to the surface, tested, treated and, finally, delivered to your home or business. Correspondent Tim Motz sits down with Dr. Christopher Gobler to talk about the water cycle (01:54). Next Host Jeff Szabo speaks to water industry experts to discuss the journey of a water droplet in the sky to the tap in your home (06:59). 

Today, we're going to talk to experts from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about the availability of funds for water infrastructure and how it will be invested. We'll also cover other key topics, including the ongoing effort to replace lead service lines and the EPA's ambitious effort to regulate one of the most pressing contaminant threats in the country, the threat to health caused by PFAS chemicals.Host Jeff Szabo sits down with representatives from the EPA (01:47). Jeff speaks with Aisha Sexton-Sims, Ph.D., to discuss the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and the role EPA plays in that program. (10:41) Then, the EPA discusses its efforts to help disadvantaged communities access state funding. (12:46) Finally, Jeff speaks with Dorina Aliu, P.E. to discuss the recently announced, proposal for a new national drinking water standard for PFAS. (19:32)

February is Black History Month. During the month-long commemoration, various programs, events and activities are held to honor the rich history and contributions of Black Americans to society. In honor of Black History Month, SCWA has dedicated an episode of its podcast, to our journey to make Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Justice an integral part of our organization. Host CEO Jeff Szabo passes the microphone to our Chief Diversity and Equity Officer, Janice Tinsley to discuss her history here at SCWA (1:04).  SCWA consultant Dr. Estelle Marie Montgomery offers her unique perspective (3:06). Director of Strategic Initiatives, Tyrand Fuller begins co-moderating a conversation with our Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, Belonging and Justice 2030 Strategic Planning committee (4:25).

Ever wonder how SCWA is capable of efficiently monitoring your drinking water supply all throughout the SCWA service territory? In our latest episode of our podcast, What About Water?, we delve into SCWA's SCADA system and how it tracks tank levels and other important aspects of water supply. Host Jeff Szabo sits down with recently retired Paul Kuzman to talk about the history of SCADA (01:58). Jeff also speaks with current SCADA Systems Administrator Paul Kondracki to discuss his day-to-day operations (19:12). Finally, Jeff speaks with Director of Production Control Michael O'Connell to discuss the recent water emergency, and to peer into the future of SCADA (22:12).  

SCWA's tiered water rates were implemented to benefit the vast majority of SCWA customers, but how informed are customers regarding tiered water rates?  Host Jeff Szabo sits down with Deputy CFO Chris Cecchetto to talk about tiered water rates (02:31). Correspondent Theodore Aponte hits the streets of West Islip to find out what residents think and why (05:00). Finally, Jeff speaks with Glynnis Berry, LEED accredited professional architect and planner, to discuss SCWA's tiered water rates and the importance of these rates (09:43).    

Bottled water is America's most popular drink, but is it really superior to tap water?  Host Jeff Szabo sits down with journalist Ryan Felton of Consumer Reports to talk about Felton's 2019 cover story "Is Bottled Water Safer" (00:59).  SCWA Director of Water Quality & Laboratory Services Kevin Durk tests a series of bottled water brands to see how they stack up against SCWA tap water (26:52). Correspondent Seth Wallach hits the streets of Sayville to find out which water Suffolk residents prefer and why (23:46), and see if anyone knows how much tap water really costs (30:13). Finally, Jeff speaks with Dennis Kelleher of H2M Architects + Engineers to discuss the public perceptions of tap water vs. bottled water, and what the industry can do to help change that perception (32:32).    

The majority of our infrastructure exists underground and out of sight. But there's one critical piece of our operation that we keep above ground. Usually way…way…way above ground. In this episode, we give you an in-depth look at water towers. What they're used for, how they work, what it takes to construct one, and so much more. We know they're easy to spot, but trust us, there's more than meets the eye. Host Jeff Szabo sits down with SCWA Lead Civil Engineer Scott Meyerdierks to learn how elevated storage tanks work, and why they're so critical to our operations. Deputy Lead Civil Engineer Pete Schembri also joins the program (6:19) to tell us what it's like to climb all the way to the top of one of our tanks, and more. Correspondent Seth Wallach checks-in with Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr.  about SCWA's 900,000 gallon ground storage tank in Amagansett, and what that means for East End Residents. (11:48)Seth also talks with Cellular Program Manager Amanda McLeod to learn about an added benefit of elevated storage tanks. (21.43)

When you serve 1.2 million people, you're bound to get some questions. In this episode, host Jeff Szabo presents SCWA's most frequently asked questions, and brings you the answers from the experts themselves. Correspondent Seth Wallach spreads some holiday cheer (6:35). 

Funding for infrastructure is at the forefront of America's collective consciousness. But what about water infrastructure?  What types of water infrastructure projects are needed locally? And how are they paid for? Host Jeff Szabo speaks with Maureen Coleman (6:10) President and CEO of the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation to discuss grant funding opportunities and how the process works. Jeff also sits down with Dan Hartnett (23:33) Chief Advocacy Officer for Legislative and Regulatory Affairs for the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies to get a sense of what's going on from a national perspective.  SCWA Chief Engineer and Director of Research & Development Tim Kilcommons also joins the program (1:34) to update us on the latest SCWA projects, and discusses what we've received in grant funding thus far, plus what we'll be applying for in the future.  Correspondent Seth Wallach gives us an SCWA history lesson (22:11).

What compounds are present in your drinking water? And at what concentrations do we find these compounds? All of this information and more is published every six months in our Consumer Confidence Report. Host Jeff Szabo sits down with SCWA Laboratory Manager Chris Niebling to learn more about the Consumer Confidence Report, where to find it, and how to interpret it.  Correspondent Seth Wallach hits the streets of Northport to find out if Suffolk residents know where to find information about their water quality. 

Not everyone gets their water from a municipal supplier... What does it mean to be on a private well? What is the difference between having public water vs. relying on your own well?  What are the concerns, and is your water safe?  We spoke to the experts to get you the answers.  Host Jeff Szabo sits down with Jason Hime, a Principal Public Health Engineer at the Suffolk County Department of Health Services and chief of their Office of Water Resources to talk about public vs. private water and what you can do if you're on a private well (1:29).SCWA Strategic Initiatives Project Specialist Katelyn Cassagne joins the program (9:26) to talk about how SCWA tracks private wells in Suffolk County, and how we're using that data.East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc calls in via Zoom to discuss a critical water infrastructure project designed to protect residents in Wainscott from contamination (11:08).And finally, Jeff speaks to Kelly McClinchy, a Manorville resident who's been fighting to bring public water to her community for years after learning her well water is contaminated (17:38).

Why is it important for Long Islanders to conserve water?  What are the easiest and most effective ways to conserve?Host Jeff Szabo sits down with SCWA Director of Communications Tim Motz about his work with the Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection (LICAP) and their "Our Water Our Lives" water conservation education and outreach campaign (4:14).Jeff also speaks with Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski who was instrumental in the creation of LICAP, and a strong advocate for water conservation on Long Island's North Fork (6:52). Paul Granger, Superintendent of the Hicksville Water District joins the program to talk about how his district is getting folks to conserve, and how they're handling the DEC's request that all water suppliers reduce annual pumpage by 15%  (10:46).The Irrigation Association of New York's (IANY) Mike Dwyer gives us some best practices for irrigating properly, without wasting water; and talks about the irrigation situation on Long Island (20:35).Our correspondent Seth Wallach hits the streets of Port Jefferson to find out just how often Suffolk residents water their lawns (18:41).  Seth returns at (29:19) to talk about our Water Wise programs and how you can get $50 off your water bill right now!

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of us, including SCWA and the way we do business. Learn what changed for us and how we made it through, as host Jeff Szabo talks with employees from just about every SCWA department and gets their perspective. Correspondent Seth Wallach visits South Shore University Hospital (formally Southside Hospital) in Bay Shore to learn how SCWA helped the hospital through the height of the pandemic (9:13).  Jeff also sits down with Board Member Jane Devine to get her thoughts on the SCWA COVID response (29:44). 

Host Jeff Szabo visits SCWA's state-of-the-art water testing laboratory in Hauppauge to follow the typical path of an SCWA water sample. Jeff speaks with top lab staff about their work to keep Suffolk County's water safe, including Director of Water Quality and Laboratory Services Kevin Durk, Laboratory Managers Tom Schneider and Chris Niebling (3:40​). Supervisor of Bacteriology & Sample Collection Gavin Marsden discusses how SCWA collects water samples from every community in our service territory (6:00​), and the important work of the bacteriology lab (10:10​). Assistant Supervising Chemist Amanda Comando tells us how she developed a new way to test for emerging contaminants PFOA & PFOS that was better and faster than the standard EPA method (14:09​). Correspondent Seth Wallach hits the streets of Babylon to find out if Suffolk County residents drink their tap water (7:40​).

In our first episode we discuss where your water comes from.  Our host,  SCWA Chief Executive Officer Jeff Szabo talks to Lead Hydrogeologist Ty Fuller. We also sit down with SCWA Chairman Patrick Halpin to talk about how the Suffolk County Water Authority came to be, why it is needed, what some of our greatest challenges are, and what's next?  Correspondent Seth Wallach hits the streets to find out what Suffolk County residents know about their water.