On October 19, a fire hydrant at Harbor Park Drive and West Shore Road was hit by a vehicle. This resulted in a pressure drop at 3:45 PM. The RWD staff successfully shut down the broken hydrant and restored pressure to normal operating levels by 4:30 PM. After consulting with the Nassau County Department of Health, it was decided that an emergency notification was to be sent to those residents falling within the affected area.
Also as a precautionary measure, the District increased the chlorine residual and commenced flushing the affected areas. The Deputy Commissioner, Nassau County Office of Emergency Management arrived to assist in implementing a reverse 911 emergency notification.
This reverse 911 notification took just 10 minutes to accomplish approximately 3000 calls to the potentially affected consumers.
Subsequently, water samples were collected in the affected area and all met statewide water quality standards.
According to Commissioner A. Jack Russo, “This was an excellent example of your local Water District, the Nassau County Health Department and Office of Emergency Management working together with positive results.”
On page 1 of this newsletter is the budget information for 2008. Its minimal overall increase is a reflection of the District Employees and Board’s efforts to continue this service in the face of significantly increased fuel and power costs.

 Return to top of page.

  Nobody likes a high water bill. So the Roslyn Water District reminds customers that other than closely monitoring the amount of water you use, the best way to save money is to use water-efficient home plumbing products, including aerated shower heads, energy-efficient clothes washers, and 1.6 gallon per-flush toilets. By using these products in the home residents will lower water costs. According to a report issued by the American Water Works Association, the use of water-efficient plumbing across the nation would decrease the amount of water used by 3.5 billion gallons per day.
  "It's amazing how much water we can save by using the proper plumbing fixtures," stated Superintendent Richard Passariello. "If any of our residents are concerned about high water bills, they may want to look into the plumbing mechanisms they currently use in their homes. We welcome phone calls from residents interested in learning more about saving money and water by using more efficient plumbing equipment."
  The report released by AWWA also projects that reducing the amount of water nationally,by 3.5 billion gallons per day would result in smaller operating and maintenance costs at local water utilities. When you combine the water reduction with energy savings from conservation, communities could save a significant amount of money.

 Return to top of page.

  As you have likely noticed work has begun on this massive project.
  During the past three years, the District Commissioners and staff have attended many meetings, hearings, etc. to insure the integrity of the water mains and that there will be no interruption in water service.
  The result is a new entrance, mains, valves, hydrants and more...all in the immediate vicinity of the construction area and all paid for by the NYS Department of Transportation. This has significant long-term value for the district and district residents.

Notice To RWD Customers
  As the Roslyn Water District Headquarters is adjacent to the construction area, it becomes increasingly difficult to enter our facility and offices. The Staff and Board recommend that all bill payers should mail their checks rather than try to pay in person. The address is: Roslyn Water District, POB 326, Roslyn, NY 11576-1422.

 Return to top of page.

 Return to top of page.

  Despite our familiarity with water, it is a mystery of creation. Its elements of hydrogen and oxygen should be totally incompatible. Separately they are highly flammable and even explosive. Both are colorless, odorless and tasteless. Surprisingly, when used separatily as gas and ignited by a welder these elements can melt steel.
  Yet as water, these two elements combine to provide the very basics for life itself.
  The water molecular portrait looks like a clock with the face representing oxygen. Perched at exactly 104.5 degrees from center sits one molecule of hydrogen and at the other side, another hydrogen molecule.
  Oxygen is the most abundant element. It is present in almost 50% of the earth's crust and 21% of air. Hydrogen is always in combination with an almost unlimited number of compounds. Yet, in the oddest of the relationships with each other, these two pyromaniacal elements when joined, make up the familiar substance we know as water. Contrary to most things, water expands when frozen and then is capable of splitting steel pipes.
  Water itself is equally strange. No matter what form, or temperature as a liquid or even ice, it is never at rest but seeks to leave its form to escape into a vapor. It's a cloud, a fog, and dew. It leaves our body with each and every breath.
  Water is a universal solvent capable of wearing away stones and anything that may be in its path. Perfectly neutral, it can jump to acid or base when coaxed with another substance giving endlessly novel compositions of matter. Polluted water can leave its sullied state as a vapor only to be returned as rain, forgiving of human assaults, yet still willing to slake our thirst and cater to our infinite needs.
  Water monitors our planetary temperature interceding as clouds, rain and ocean currents to regulate our climate. Its clouds parcel out moisture from one part of the globe to another, making its appointed rounds in seasons favoring tropics and great river basins.
  Water obeys the call of the heavens. Tides rise and fall to a cosmic cue exactly for time and tide and place. The sun and the moon alignment immutably govern this ancient rendezvous. Many creatures depend on this for their life cycles. At birth we issue out of water. Every living creature carries its own cache of water.

HELP OUR SMALLEST SERVANTS HELP YOU

• Conserve Water!
• Limit the use of pesticides and herbicides.
• Dispose of hazardous household chemicals at authorized sites.

  Although water is common to all life, it was never understood for almost all of recorded history. The ancients classified elements as earth, fire, air and water. Aristotle opined that, "fire is hot and dry, whereas air is hot and moist and water is cold and moist while Earth is cold and dry".
  This opinion remained until relatively modern times when electricity became a tool of science that a chance test of an Englishman, Henry Cavendish in 1783 passed an electric current through a sealed tube of water which "disappeared" when the current was turned on causing hydrogen to separate from oxygen as gases as water disappeared. Thinking that he had a leaky glass container, he repeated the test with the same results. The Cavendish experiment is called hydrolysis. Later, Lavoisier named one of the gases "hydrogen" meaning water maker and the other "oxygen". Thus, "H" and "O" entered our lexicon of science.
  Everything about water is unique in the way of elements in natural states. Water even defies the usually strict law of physics that at low or freezing temperatures, all substances become denser, but not water. At freezing, instead of following the rules, water expands and takes a crystalline structure that breaks pipes, cracks concrete, etc. Instead of more density, it takes on a less dense crystalline form that floats on water as ice.
  All this led to new thinking about elements. If water never existed we would have to invent this wondrous compound.
  Water will continue to surprise us, there are new marvels ahead from it. The hydrogen content may well be the fuel of our future as in "Fuel Cells", a new modality using hydrogen to power our cars with an exhaust of just water. Prototypes of automobiles fueled by hydrogen already exist.

  There are three states of most matter, gaseous, liquid and solid. Many solids are crystalline. The latter are materials with an orderly atomic arrangement, so much so that the color, shape and design can readily identify the material of the solid.
  But water is the rare substance that can exist at times very naturally in any one of four states: vapor (steam, dew) liquid, solid (as ice) and as almost endless crystal designs with an incredible flair for flowering shapes.
  It all starts as a vapor in the clouds. At the beck-and-call of temperature of 32 degrees F, or lower, molecules of water from each wisp of vapor form into infinite crystal designs of stars, hexagons, hollow columns, dendrites, needles and other shapes. These are all as colorless as clear water and are not yet snow until descent when these crystals attach themselves to one-another-and another and another getting bigger and bigger on the way down. They soon take a new whiteness disguise only because of the way light reflects on the millions of colorless crystals clustered together now seen as snowflakes covering the ground; as a downey white blanket.

  Previous H&O columns describe the many guises of water; its elemental structure, how it changes in form, how it is affected by lunar motion, how our climate is modified and other unusual properties. Another phenomenon about water is its artistry.
  Free of palette and paint with just natural sunbeams and purely colorless specks of water suspended in air after a rain, the rainbow melds all into a perfectly formed arc of red, orange, yellow, green, indigo and violet placed orderly within the arc.
 Actually the rainbow arc is really a perfect circle. We see just the top of it because the horizon cuts the other half of the circle from our line of sight. (But it is possible to see a full circle rainbow called a 'glory' from an airplane with the sun behind the aircraft).
  Sunlight is a mixture of many different wavelengths of light. When passed through a prism, the light is bent and different wavelengths form into a band of colors. In much the same way, sunlight passing through the tiny droplets of pure colorless water measuring a tiny diameter of 1/50 to 1/25 of an inch, the droplets act as a prism to separate the color wavelengths of the sun into the colors we see.
  When watering a flower bed with hose nozzle set to 'fine-spray,' try to back up on sunbeams. You may spy a short but real rainbow.

 Return to top of page.

  Backflow connections are required wherever there is the possibility of unprotected water being pulled back into the potable water supply.
  Water is delivered under pressure to each residence in the District. However under certain circumstances that pressure can drop allowing water in a pool or other source to return to the water supply in your home or in the water mains.
  The Backflow Valve prevents this reverse flow and is required by law...and the District is charged with enforcement.
  Some causes of reduced water pressure: water main break, loss of power at a pump station, use of a hydrant by the Fire Department or others.
  A few contaminants the Backflow Valve is designed to prevent from entering the water supply: fertilizers, pool water, chemicals, solid waste, standing water.
  Protect yourself, your family and your neighbors with properly installed and inspected backflow devices. If you have any questions about backflow devices, please call the District offices at 516-621-7770.

BACKFLOW AND CROSS-CONNECTION
  When water enters your home or building from a District water main, it goes to a variety of places: boilers, sinks, bathtubs, toilets, outdoor faucets, in-ground sprinkler systems, fire sprinkler systems, etc. Some of these locations are potential cross-connections and may require a backflow prevention device to prevent the possibility of contaminated water flowing from your building back into the public water system.
  Backflow can be the result of an incident like a water main break or the sudden opening of fire hydrants for an emergency. In these possible situations, lawn chemicals, and other liquids could flow back into the public water supply and pose a serious health threat unless a proper backflow prevention device is in place.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
  The passage of the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974 made water utilities responsible for monitoring the quality of water at the consumer’s tap, necessitating water utilities to administer a cross-connection control program to ensure a safe, potable public water supply.
  In compliance with State and County requirements, the districts require backflow devices to be installed wherever a potential backflow problem exists and also requires an annual inspection of all installed backflow devices.

 Return to top of page.

INDOORS
• Take shorter showers.
• Don't let the water run while brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Wash only full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher.
• Fix faucet leaks.

OUTDOORS
• Water your lawn only when it needs it.
A good way to see if your lawn needs watering is to step on the grass. If it springs back up when you move, it doesn’t need water. If it stays flat, fetch the sprinkler.
• Deep-soak your lawn.
When you do water, do it long enough for the moisture to soak down to the roots where it will do the most good. A light sprinkling can evaporate quickly and tends to encourage shallow root systems.
• Water during the cool parts of the day.
Early morning generally is better than dusk since it helps prevent growth of fungus.
• Don’t water the driveway or street.
Position your sprinklers so water lands on the lawn or garden, not paved areas . Also avoid watering on windy days.
• Plant drought-resistant trees and plants.
Many beautiful trees and plants thrive with far less watering than other species.
• Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants.
Mulch will slow evaporation of moisture and discourage weed growth, too.
• Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.
• Check for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets, and couplings.
Leaks outside the house may not seem as bad since they’re not as visible. But they can be just as wasteful as leaks inside. Check frequently and keep them drip-free.

 Return to top of page.

The S.T.O.P. Program Drop-Off Facility
Can Accept the Following Types of Products:
Aerosol cans, batteries, chemistry kits, deodorizers, many medicines, oven cleaners, pesticides, pool chemicals, wood polish, non-latex paints, anti-freeze, many fertilizers, drain cleaners, laundry products, photographic chemicals, motor oil, 13 paint thinners, pet cleaners, weed killers, upholstery cleaners, and spot removers.

S.T.O.P Cannot Accept:
Ammunition, biohazard/medical wastes, radioactive materials, fireworks, explosives of any kind, unlabeled materials, unidentified materials, commercial wastes, industrial wastes, latex paints, water based paints, and propane tanks.

Saturday, April 12 2008:
Michael J. Tully Park/ Indoor Pool
1801 Evergreen Avenue (off Denton Avenue) 
New Hyde Park

Saturday, June 7th, 2008:
Solid Waste Management Authority Building
802 West Shore Road (next to Harbor Links golf course)
Port Washington

Saturday, September 6th, 2008:
Michael J. Tully Park/ Indoor Pool
1801 Evergreen Avenue (off Denton Avenue) 
New Hyde Park

Sunday, November 9th, 2008:
Solid Waste Management Authority Building
802 West Shore Road (next to Harbor Links golf course)
Port Washington

Hours of drop-off are 7:30 am to 3:00 pm

Disposal of Other Materials

These materials can be dropped off any Saturday or Sunday at the North Hempstead Solid Waste Management Authority, 999 West Shore Road, Roslyn.
The hours are 7:30am to 3:00pm.

• Latex paints: Remove cover of can and allow to harden, place in trash bag with regular trash
  
• Used Motor Oil: returnable at any facility that sells new motor oil
  
• Batteries, motor oil, papers, bottles, cans, and other ordinary trash

For more information call: 311

Return to top of page.

Keep your fire hydrants clear of debris, snow and ice. Your firefighters will be appreciative and it could save valuable minutes in an emergency.

 Return to top of page.

 Return to top of page.

  The Roslyn Water District suggests that you view your property as your own especially designated groundwater protection area. This is property "...managed in such a way as to maintain and improve water quality" (S 55-0105 Environmental Conservation Law).
  Homeowners can employ various strategies to protect ground water from contamination including changing waste disposal and storage practices, using nonhazardous products, and properly managing septic systems and underground heating oil tanks (UTs).

Waste Disposal
  Wastewater treatment plants are not designed to treat harmful substances such as paints, solvents, oil, or pesticides, so these chemicals should not be flushed down the toilet or dumped into the sewer. Similarly, these substances should not go in the trash or be dumped on the ground or buried.
  More importantly, limit use of such products and substitute a nonhazardous product when possible. When this is not possible, buy only as much as you need. Hazardous products used around the home include some oven cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, drain cleaners, bleaches, rust removers, paints, solvents, polishers, carpet and furniture cleaners and glues. If you don't completely use up a hazardous product take advantage of the Town of North Hempstead S.T.O.P. program to properly dispose of them.
  If you must use pesticides and fertilizers on your lawn and garden, use them in moderation. Alternatives to Hazardous Cleaning Products
  Whenever possible, use cleaning products that will not harm the environment. Look for the "environmentally friendly" products at the market. Many household products such as shampoo and baby ointment contain zinc. Paints and solvents may contain lead. Cesspool/Septic Systems
  Anything you pour down the drain or flush down the toilet will enter your system and will affect its ability to treat wastes. Do not put hazardous substances or items like coffee grounds, cigarette butts, or grease in your toilet or garbage disposal. Limit the amount of water entering the system by using water saving fixtures and appliances.
  Be certain to have your septic system pumped periodically. Underground Heating Oil Tanks (UTs)
  Become aware of the existence and condition of UTs on your property: Check your records.
  Have your tank tested for thickness to determine if it is leaking.
  If your underground tank is more than 20 years old, consider removing it and replacing it, (with an exposed tank that can be easily inspected) or properly abandoning it in place. Floor and Stormwater Drains
  Some homes have floor drains in the garage or basement, which may lead to disposal systems that then discharge into the ground. Residential storm drains also provide a conduit and are subject to receiving the same harmful wastes. Use less water during vehicle maintenance and avoid spilling, pouring or washing automotive and other waste fluids down garage floor or community storm drains.
  Each of these efforts will contribute to protecting the groundwater and making you property a "Special Groundwater Protection Area."

 Return to top of page.