The so called Grumman Navy plume has been a decades long work in progress to clean up what is considered to be Long Islands largest underground mass of water pollution. There have been many different parties involved in the multi-million dollar remediation project, and years of government red tape has frustrated local water districts and residents alike.

In a recent telephone interview, Bethpage Water District Superintendent, Mike Boufis, explained to me the current state and timetable of the ongoing remediation project.

Currently things are moving in the right direction, said Boufis. Three wells have already been drilled in Bethpage, as part of the remediation work on the eastern side of the plume and the design and building phases are underway on the pipes to centralize the water treatment system.

He added that the remediation work was, decades late but Im glad to see everything moving in the right direction.

Boufis said that ongoing negotiations between parties have caused multiple delays on the installation of easements around the plume.

Its taken over four years of negotiations to work on these easements in particular areas around the plume site. I know that Grumman and the Navy and political officials like Congressman, Tom Suozzi andTown of Oyster Bay Superintendent, Joseph Saladino, have been involved in the process to try and speed things along.

The proposed installation site of the easements are located on the former King Kullen property off of the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway and near the old Motor Parkway, off of Stewart and Arthur Avenue in Bethpage.

Im not sure if its the MTA or LIRR property near the site of the old Motor Parkway, but they are looking at that corridor to install a carrier pipe to move the water in a East west direction towards the recharge basins, said Boufis. It is currently a cordoned off area, where a water main needs to be laid down under the covering thats in place.

Some of the ongoing remediation work that should be completed by 2021 includes the installation of water main in an east-west direction off of Central Avenue and Hickey Blvd and road restoration and a newly installed well behind St Martin of Tours Church.

I am glad they prioritized that well because in my opinion that area had some of the worst contamination from the plume, said Boufis.

Boufis said that despite the constant delays in repairs and the political red tape, he believes the remediation project will be completed by 2030.

Four or five years ago, they were talking about having everything completed by 2022, but at this point that is unrealistic. I think it will be a decade by the time all of the pieces of puzzle are in place.

Boufis said that the local water districts have been actively corresponding and working with Grumman and local politicians to push the remediation project forward.

Ive been in constant contact with County Executive, Laura Curran and other officials like Joe Saladino, legislators Laura Schaefer and Rose Walker on this remediation project. Our relationship with Grumman has never been as good as it is now.

Read the rest here:

Superintendent says progress is being made on the Grumman Navy plume - The Mid Island Times