The rehabilitation of the elevated water tank at Plant No. 1 (Langdon Road) began last spring and is well underway. This massive 140 foot structure has not been painted for over 20 years, and although it was showing its age, it’s important to note that the structural integrity of the tank is completely intact.

Currently, phase II of the rehabilitative process includes sandblasting, stripping and adding primer coats to both the inside and outside of the tank. Lead-free and copper-free paint is being used throughout the entire process and SFWD is the first District on Long Island to utilize a new high-tech coating system, which should last up to 20 years!

The project began with an assessment of the tank and replacement of all the valves underneath the tank. Phase II started in November and will continue through the spring and into the summer. During this time, the tank will be fully covered to protect local residents from potential debris, paint and fumes.

Check back on our website for project updates this summer.

More Than Half of SFWD Residents Have New Meters

The District’s water meter upgrade project is 60 percent complete, with the remaining 40 percent to be finished by the end of this year. Through cellular technology, water meters can be read remotely, precisely and non-intrusively, and allows SFWD personnel the ability to more accurately record the water meter readings of every household and business within the District.

If you have yet to have your meter upgraded, you will be receiving a letter from SFWD about the program. Saks Metering has been contracted to administer this program, and is continually in your neighborhood. Once notified, consumers can make an appointment by phone, email or online. An adult must be home at the time of installation, which should take no more than 20 to 30 minutes, and may temporarily disrupt water service.

Security is a top priority for South Farmingdale Water District, and authorized installers from Saks Metering will have appropriate photo and badge identification, uniforms, and car signage clearly indicating Contracted by South Farmingdale Water District.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience.

Coming Soon:
An APP that will allow you to follow and
track your own water usage. Information regarding the new
APP will be mailed to your home shortly.

The rehabilitation of the elevated water tank at Plant No. 1 on Langdon Road is officially underway. Phase I of the tank rehabilitation started this spring with an assessment of the tank and replacement of all the valves underneath the tank. Phase II includes shrouding and painting of the elevated tank, which started in November and will continue into the winter. During this phase, the tank will be fully covered so that local residents will not be exposed to debris, paint and fumes.

Lead-free and copper-free paint will be used throughout the entire process and SFWD is the first District on Long Island to utilize a new high-tech coating system, which should last up to 20 years!

What’s important to note is after a full review and assessment, the structural integrity of the tank is intact. The tank is standing tall, yet the makeover is a necessity. Our massive water tank, which reaches 14 stories high, started to show definite signs of wear and tear since it was last worked on close to 20 years ago. The tank needs interior and exterior work to remedy corrosion and keep it safe from the elements. We will provide updates as we progress on the rehabilitation.

It’s hard to believe, but winter is here and it’s a sure bet that we will see our share of snowfall later this season. We were fortunate to have a very mild fall, but a winter storm can hit us at any time!

While many people are concerned with keeping sidewalks and roadways clear, as well as shoveling out their cars, we must not forget to keep local area fire hydrants clear from snow.

The South Farmingdale Water District continually asks local consumers to keep an eye out for any fire hydrants that may become buried in the wake of a plow. At times, snow plows blanket many of the District’s 1,300 plus fire hydrants, making it nearly impossible to locate them quickly in emergency situations. In the event of a fire, precious time is lost when firefighters have to locate and shovel out fire hydrants. SFWD Water Commissioners ask consumers to keep fire hydrants closest to your residence or business clear of snow, with an approximate radius of 3-feet around each hydrant. Consumers should also be extremely careful and aware of vehicle traffic when shoveling snow.

New technology will allow South Farmingdale Water District personnel to more accurately record the water meter readings of every household and business within the District. Through cellular technology, water meters will be read remotely, precisely and non-intrusively.

Saks Metering has been contracted to administer this program, and installation in the first of four zones will begin in December 2015. Door Hangers will be used to notify each household and business of the installation process in advance. Once notified, consumers can make an appointment by phone, email or online. An adult must be home at the time of installation, which should take no more than 20 to 30 minutes, and may temporarily disrupt water service.

This transition to a new system will greatly increase operational efficiency. The Board of Water Commissioners commented, “When we looked at the technology, it was a no-brainer. This is the future of water meter reading and we are in a position to implement it right away at no additional cost to the consumer.”

Security is a top priority for South Farmingdale Water District, and authorized installers will have appropriate photo and badge identification, uniforms, and car signage clearly indicating ‘Contracted by South Farmingdale Water District.’

Please continue to visit our website as well share when installers will be in your neighborhood.

South Farmindale Water District is proud to announcement the appointment of Francis (Frank) Koch, P.E. as new superintendent of the water district. Frank arrives at SFWD with 23 years of experience from the Incorporated Village of Garden City. His first seven years there was as project engineer, followed by 16 years serving as Superintendent.

As a professional engineer, Frank brings a wealth of knowledge and technical experience to South Farmingdale Water District. He’s largely qualified to work directly with the District’s professional engineering firms and brings a different perspective to the operations team. “Part of my job is to have everyone come together for the betterment of the District,” said Koch. “I look forward to working with our outside vendors and engineers and to having our crew be ready for all projects that help maintain and run this District. South Farmingdale has a stellar reputation within the water industry, and I’m fortunate to work alongside an incredibly dedicated group of individuals.”

Frank grew up in Malverne and earned his Bachelor’s in Engineering – Civil Engineering from Manhattan College. He moved to Westchester, NY for a brief period of time after college before returning to his neighborhood roots in Malverne. He’s lived there since and has been married to his wife Kelly for the last 10 years. Frank is also a former volunteer for the Malverne Fire Department and is an active member in his local community.

If you drive past Plant #1 on Langdon Road, you may notice that we are prepping for the painting of our elevated water tank. There are many steps within the process and we wanted to share our plan with you.

Our massive water tank, which reaches 14 stories high, is showing definite signs of wear and tear since it was last worked on close to 20 years ago. The tank needs interior and exterior work to remedy corrosion and keep it safe from the elements. Phase I of the rehabilitation started this past spring as the District replaced all the valves underneath the tank in final preparation for the larger Phase II, which will include shrouding and painting of the elevated tank this fall.

Please note that the tank will be fully covered so that local residents will not be exposed to debris, paint and fumes. We are also using lead-free and copper-free paint throughout the entire process. All work on the tank will be conducted during weekdays and exclude nights, weekends and holidays. The rehabilitated tank will be completed in spring 2016 and we will provide milestone updates and progress throughout the process.

South Farmingdale Water District (SFWD), which serves South Farmingdale, North Massapequa as well as parts of Massapequa Park, Bethpage and Seaford, is urging all consumers to use caution in the event that someone claiming to be a water district employee appears at the doorstep for the purposes of reading a water meter or confirming a leak. These are typically unscrupulous people who look for ways to further their criminal intent.

South Farmingdale Water District wants to ensure consumers are aware that it is rare for anyone from the District (SFWD) to show up at a home or business unannounced. In fact, 99.9% of water district visits to residents’ homes are by appointment. Even in the event of an emergency such as a water main break, the District will notify consumers in advance of any planned water service disruption, never needing to enter a home. If someone comes to a consumer’s home or business claiming to be a water district employee, it is important that consumers ask to see his or her identification card. Anyone having doubts about someone’s identity should close the door and contact the police immediately.

SFWD also urges all residents to do their part and be cognizant of any suspicious activity near water well sites and plants. While domestic terrorism has been at a very low level this past year, Homeland Security has encouraged the District to be more vigilant in the safeguarding of our natural resources at all times. In conjunction with this heightened effort, the District plans to further upgrade security by adding additional cameras to all locations.

South Farmingdale Water District Business Manager Len Constantinopoli commented, “Our consumers are good citizens, and we have had no incidents within our District thanks to their help and cooperation. We ask everyone to be cognizant and to remain conscious of anything that appears to be unusual.”

SFWD advises consumers to call 9-1-1 and immediately report any unusual activity around water well sites witnessed as well as any suspicions involving any vans, trucks or persons who do not look as if they are conducting official water business.

Consumers should not hesitate or feel awkward about contacting authorities. While, many times such reports end up being a false alarm, SWFD believes it is better to be proactive in being overcautious than to ignore or overlook any suspicious activity or presence. The SFWD thanks all residents for their ongoing cooperation in assisting with these important matters of security and public safety.