Perspective: Let the people vote for clean water

Pure Water: A Critical Resource for Sustainable Development

By Steve Englebright

Pure water is our most essential natural resource.

Suffolk’s economy is anchored by our two largest industries, tourism and agriculture. Both of these industries rely heavily on clean water to remain viable. Polluted beaches and contaminated produce will not attract visitors or sustain farming. However, the most concerning aspect is public health. Living on top of our drinking water presents significant challenges as it is easily contaminated by our daily activities. The chemicals we introduce into local ground and surface waters pose a threat to the health of our families, communities, and economy, all of which depend on a generous supply of predictably pure drinking water.

‘How we manage this issue will guide the destiny of our county.’

— Steve Englebright

The Interconnectedness of Long Island’s Aquifers

All of the water we drink or use for various purposes, from industry to personal hygiene, is sourced from wells that tap into Long Island’s aquifers. These aquifers are natural water-bearing sediment horizons that consist of rain-absorbing sand and gravel beneath our feet. The fresh groundwater eventually seeps into the tidewaters that define our island’s edges. It is important to note that virtually all of our fresh and salt waters are connected, which means that pollution entering the system on land will eventually contaminate our harbors and bays.

The Impact of Human Waste on Groundwater Contamination

Scientific research has shown that the most widespread source of groundwater contamination in Suffolk is human waste, particularly nitrate-rich urine, that is flushed into the county’s more than 380,000 cesspools. Cesspools do very little to cleanse the waste that enters them, making them a major source of nitrate contamination in our ground and surface waters. When large amounts of this chemical enter a body of surface water, it can cause explosive plant growth. The seasonal decay of this overgrowth often leads to ecological harm, such as fish kills.

The Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act

In recent years, millions of state and county dollars have been invested in learning how to halt the progressive decline of water quality. This work has led to the proposed Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act, which requires voter approval. The act aims to consolidate numerous county-owned sewer districts and allocate 1/8 of 1% of county sales tax towards installing technologically advanced cesspool upgrades and new sewers for compact business districts. Importantly, no property taxes are involved. Seventy-five percent of the sales tax collected would be used to provide grants to homeowners for installing advanced wastewater treatment technology within each cesspool. If approved by Suffolk’s voters, the raised funds could attract matching federal and state dollars to further reduce local costs.

Protecting Pure Fresh Water: A Bipartisan Priority

Given the importance of protecting reserves of pure fresh water, this issue has historically been a bipartisan legislative priority that transcends political bickering. However, on July 25, the Suffolk Legislature’s Republican majority unanimously voted to deny residents the opportunity to vote on the issue of pure water. By killing this highly anticipated public referendum, citizens have been blocked from directly participating in efforts to protect and improve ground and surface waters.

It has been widely reported that this outcome was influenced by political party operatives who believed that the environmental referendum would bring out so many Democrats to vote that it would disadvantage Republican candidates in the upcoming election. However, this belief has been proven wrong by the voter-approved $4.2 billion New York State Environmental Bond Act, which passed easily last November despite low Democratic turnout.

Tellingly, none of the Republican candidates for the many county offices on the November ballot showed up at the July 25 hearing to speak in favor of the referendum. Their absence made it clear that the county Republican Party has turned away from Suffolk’s most urgent environmental issue in an attempt to profit politically from a voter suppression scheme.

Restoring Direct Voter Participation

Cleaning up our water sources requires an informed and engaged citizenry. The Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act referendum would enable vigorous public education on this subject to occur as voters of all political persuasions strive to inform themselves ahead of their vote. Unfortunately, by canceling the referendum, county Republicans have lost their way and deprived Suffolk’s residents of their constitutional right to express their opinion through their votes.

Suppressing voter turnout in Suffolk by blocking public participation in the most important economic and environmental issue affecting the county’s future contradicts the fundamental premise and promise of our democracy. It was wrong to cancel every local voter’s sacred right to express their opinion in a public referendum.

Guiding the Destiny of Our County

How we manage this issue will guide the destiny of our county. The people of Suffolk deserve a chance to vote either for or against clean water at the next opportunity, which could be as soon as next year. This crisis demands that we all work together once again.

Restoring direct voter participation to the most critical questions relating to our sole source of drinking water and related quality of life issues is the best way to protect and enhance the equity of our homes, the health of our loved ones, and the viability of our regional economy.

Steve Englebright served as New York State assemblyman for the 4th District from 1992-2022. He is a Democratic candidate this November for the Suffolk County Legislature, running against Anthony Figliola (R-East Setauket) for the 5th Legislative District.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 14: Life Below Water

The article discusses the importance of clean water for sustaining tourism, agriculture, public health, and the economy. It also highlights the connection between groundwater contamination and the pollution of harbors and bays. These issues align with SDG 6, which focuses on ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all. Additionally, the mention of public health concerns and ecological harm caused by pollution relates to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) respectively.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
• SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
• SDG 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.

The article emphasizes the need to address groundwater contamination caused by human waste, specifically nitrate-rich urine from cesspools. This aligns with SDG 6.3, which aims to improve water quality by reducing pollution and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials. The mention of the ecological harm caused by explosive plant growth resulting from nitrate contamination relates to SDG 14.1, which focuses on reducing marine pollution from land-based activities. Additionally, the article highlights the importance of protecting public health from the harmful effects of pollution, which corresponds to SDG 3.9.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 6.3: Proportion of wastewater safely treated
• Indicator for SDG 3.9: Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to water, air, and soil pollution
• Indicator for SDG 14.1: Amount of nutrient pollution in marine ecosystems

The article mentions the need for technologically advanced cesspool upgrades and new sewers to address groundwater contamination. The proportion of wastewater safely treated can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards SDG 6.3. Additionally, the article highlights the ecological harm caused by explosive plant growth resulting from nitrate contamination. The amount of nutrient pollution in marine ecosystems can serve as an indicator to measure progress towards SDG 14.1. Finally, the mention of public health concerns related to pollution suggests that tracking the number of deaths and illnesses attributed to water, air, and soil pollution can be an indicator for SDG 3.9.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: tbrnewsmedia.com

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.