The original proposed site for Well # 9 was at the Northeast Well Field (NEWF) located at Ocean and Maryland. The District raised concerns regarding the water quality at that site and asked that the District Engineer prepare a letter comparing water quality at the NEWF and surrounding supply wells. This letter and subsequent reports commissioned by the District during 1996 and 1997 revealed the potential threat of aquifer contamination at the NEWF and retained an Engineer to identify potential well sites in the MWD service area. The criteria for the alternate site needed to address its proximity to transmission water mains and be free of contamination or its threat in the future as could be determined at that time.
After a thorough review of the proposed sites it was determined that the most feasible site for the proposed new well was vacant land located on Sunrise Highway west of Hicksville Road, which was owned by Nassau County. This land was once part of the old New York City water system and after negotiating with Nassau County, the District, and with the direct assistance of Legislator Peter Schmitt, obtained this land at no cost.
The District then embarked on a long term project to produce a facility at this site that would be both aesthetically pleasing to both consumers and the traveling public along Sunrise Highway and be an educational facility for young and old alike in order to educate them regarding the supply of potable water to their homes. In addition, the District remained committed to preserving the greenbelt along Sunrise Highway by removing only those trees that were necessary in order to construct the facility.
In December of 2002, the District finished the installation of new Well # 9 and performed all necessary water quality testing. The well was installed first in order to insure that the well would produce the highest possible quality water and once that it was determined that the well met or exceeded all regulatory requirements, the District then embarked on this second phase: the construction of the New Well House with all of the necessary piping, electrical equipment and chemical storage and pumps. This work began in September of 2003 and is now completed.
