Veolia to place Nassau Wastewater Treatment Plants on Storm Alert

In partnership with Nassau County, Veolia North America anticipates placing its South Shore Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) in East Rockaway, the Cedar Creek WRF in Wantagh, and the Glen Cove WRF serving parts of the North Shore, on storm alert Friday night to ensure they are capable of operating in the face of a second round of incoming severe weather.

“We are continuing to face extraordinary weather and the best way to counter it is to be prepared. Recognizing that a weekend storm is imminent that will likely impact Nassau County once again with heavy rain and high winds, Veolia will mobilize our storm preparedness plans to ensure full readiness,” said Kevin Chandler, president of Veolia Water Long Island.

“This includes activities such as topping off fuel and chemicals, testing generators, strategically placing equipment and portable generators, and organizing staffing needs. Throughout the next storm, we will once again staff our command center, which collaborates with the Nassau County Department of Public Works and Office of Emergency Management,” Chandler explained.

South Shore Gate Closure

In the event tidal impacts are anticipated in East Rockaway, closure of the emergency storm gates will be ordered. This will protect the low-lying South Shore facility from flooding, protect the employees staffing the facility around the clock, and protect the vital equipment that keeps that facility operating. A similar plan was in place for the prior storm this week.

The storm preparations underway follow the template set by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman at the start of last year’s hurricane season, when he led a public demonstration of the emergency storm gates at the East Rockaway facility. “Those lessons remain as vital and important this month as they were six months ago,” Chandler said.