April 5, 2006

Innovative storm water treatment device will protect environment

Yatauro & Denenberg secure new ‘catch basin’ devices that remove harmful pollutants from storm water runoff BEFORE it goes into waterways

Brendan Mahoney of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment; Legislator Diane Yatauro; Kyle Rabin, Executive Director, Friends of the Bay; Kenneth Arnold of the Nassau County Department of Public Works; and Robert Weltner, President, Operation S.P.L.A.S.H.; in front of one of the “storm water catch basin inserts,” which remove heavy metals, sediment, oil and grease, pesticides, bacteria, organics, nitrates, and litter from storm water runoff before it ends up in our waterways

Nassau County Legislators Diane Yatauro (D-Glen Cove) and Dave Denenberg (D-Merrick) were joined this week by Nassau County Department of Public Works Senior Sanitary Engineer Kenneth Arnold, P.E., and representatives from environmental groups to demonstrate the effectiveness of a new, state of the art filtration device that will protect Long Island’s waterways. Called a “storm water catch basin insert,” the device removes heavy metals, sediment, oil and grease, pesticides, bacteria, organics, nitrates, and litter from storm water runoff before it ends up in our waterways.

 “These innovative inserts give us the ability to protect surface waters from the harmful effects that various chemicals carried by storm water can have on the marine environment and litter and trash can have on the enjoyment of going to a beach,” said Legislator Yatauro. “However the real solution to protect our water bodies is to educate homeowners and businesses owners on ways they can do their part.”  

The inserts, which fit into the catch basins, have been installed on a trial basis at two locations in the county, one in Bellmore and one in Bayville. Several different models are being used and will be evaluated for their effectiveness and practicality.

"Storm water runoff can be the largest contributor to surface water pollution, as it contains chemical and organic pollutants and litter,” said Legislator Yatauro. “These new storm water catch basin devices can provide an effective way to filter this runoff before it reaches our bays, streams, and other waterways.”

"Nassau County has a comprehensive Storm Water Management Program with a large component directed towards education,” stated Mr. Arnold. “The public needs to understand that simple behavior modifications such as picking up your dog's waste, not feeding water fowl, keeping your property free of litter or following the manufacturers directions when applying fertilizers and pesticides all have a huge impact on storm water quality.”

"We commend Nassau County for implementing this initiative....in particular Legislator Yatauro, Legislator Denenberg, and Ken Arnold and his colleagues at the Department of Public Works," said Friends of the Bay Executive Director Kyle Rabin. "Polluted storm water runoff is a major source of contamination of the waters of the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Estuary Complex. Once the trial period is complete and the results are in, Friends of the Bay is willing to work with the County to expand this initiative. This estuary is a vital ecological, economic, and recreational resource. But it remains threatened by storm water pollution. Expanding the use of the filtration insert technology and educating more and more homeowners and businesses owners will go a long way to improving those sections of the estuary which are currently suffering from poor water quality and maintaining those parts that enjoy good water quality.”

“Operation Splash sees these devices as the best and most cost effective way to reduce the tremendous damage that storm water does to Long Island’s estuaries,” said Rob Weltner, president of SPLASH.

"Nassau County's environment is well protected by forward thinking and creative Legislators such as David Denenberg and Diane Yatauro," said Michael White, Chair of the New York League of Conservation Voters Long Island Chapter. "We hope that this is the first of many new innovations that will prevent storm water runoff pollution here and around the county."

Brendan Mahoney, Program Coordinator, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, stated: "According to the South Shore Estuary Comprehensive Management Plan, storm water runoff is the number one pollutant contaminating tributaries, bays, and the south shore estuary. In the Long Island Sound, storm water runoff is the second leading cause of water quality degradation.The Long Island Sound generates $5.5 billion dollars per year into our local economy, and the South Shore Estuary sustains 3,000 water dependent businesses, which generates 30,000 Long Island jobs. Protection and restoration of these water bodies is truly an investment in Long Island’s economic viability and sustainability. CCE applauds Legislator Denenberg and Legislator Yatauro for their work and commitment to protection of our estuaries."

For more information on the storm water drain inserts, call Legislator Yatauro’s office at 516-571-6218; or visit these websites:

http://www.fabco-industries.com/

http://www.abtechindustries.com/uuf.asp

In addition educational resources on how the public can help can be found on the County website:   http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/DPW/stormwater.html  or by contacting Public Works at 571-6850 or email stormwater2@nassaucountyny.gov