Orient Water Forum – Saturday, October 25th Poquatuck Hall 9:00am-12:30 pm

THE ORIENT WATER FORUM
Hear about the future of Orient’s Water Resources
Will there be enough? Will it be drinkable? Are areas of Orient more vulnerable?

Saturday, October 25th
Poquatuck Hall
9:00-12:30 pm

Read Orient Association’s comprehensive Water Study and our Fast Facts about water in Orient.

Hosted by the Orient Association, speakers include experts from the United States Geological Survey, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, the NY State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, the Suffolk County Water Authority, CDM Smith, Shelter Island, and the Town of Southold.

Intro to the Orient Water Project
Time: 9:00am-9:10am

Speakers: Tony Asch, Orient Association President and Daniel Watts, OA Board Member

News coverage from the North Fork Sun.

“Forever Chemicals” and Other Contaminants In Orient’s Fresh Water
Time: 9:10am-10:10am

Topic: Nearly half of the wells in the Orient Village Survey Area had PFAS levels over NY State’s maximum contaminant level (“MCL”). 18% of all Orient households have nitrate levels over the MCL.  Learn more about testing, filtration and cleanup efforts.

Panelists

• Jason Hime, Principal Public Health Engineer of the SCDHS Department of Water Resources, Suffolk County Department of Health Services
• Andy Rapiejko, Associate Hydrogeologist, Suffolk County Department of Health Services
• Robert Bellotti, Project Manager in the NY State Dept. Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Division of Environmental Remediation
• Melissa Sweet,New York State DEC

NYS DEC offers ways to track PFAS cleanups.

Sea Level Rise and Salt Water Intrusion in Orient Wells
Time: 10:20am-11:20am

Topic: Sea level in Orient is projected to rise 47 inches by 2100.  The rise will impact many aspects of life in Orient, not least the aquifer that provides Orient’s fresh water. When will this be something Orient needs to address?  Who will be impacted the most and when is this likely to occur?

Panelists

• Fred Stumm, Research Hydrologist, United States Geological Survey
• Mary Anne Taylor, Vice President, CDM Smith
• Joe Finora, Town Engineer, Shelter Island

Public Water – Does Orient Need It?
Time: 11:30am-12:30pm

Topic: Orient’s households and farms currently rely on onsite wells for fresh water.  The Suffolk County Water Authority has recently included a water main extension from East Marion to Orient in the environmental review for its planned North Fork Pipeline project.  What are the pros and cons of public water and are there alternatives?

Panelists

• Joe Pokorny, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Operations, Suffolk County Water Authority
• Bob DeLuca, President and CEO, Group for the East End
• Al Krupski, Supervisor, Town of Southold
• Joe Finora, Town Engineer, Shelter Island