Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano Tuesday evening issued a Conserve Water Order as Hurricane Sandy has caused a critical infrastructure failure at the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant.
At this time, the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant is not operational and therefore cannot treat sewerage.
This generally impacts residents residing south of the Long Island Expressway from the Queens border to the Meadowbrook Parkway with exception to Cedarhurst and Lawrence.
County and State critical response teams are actively working on a solution.
The Nassau County Department of Health (DOH) advises residents of this public health concern and to avoid contact with sewage which initially may backup at manhole covers and basement drains. The DOH advises residents to:
· avoid contact with sewage;
· wear gloves and use soap and water for any required clean-up, followed by disinfecting the area with a 10% household bleach solution; and
· items which cannot be cleaned must be discarded.
Until further notice, a Conserve Water Order is now active and residents of the Bay Park Sewage District are directed to:
· limit water usage immediately, including a ban on watering grass and washing cars;
· limit laundry and washer/dryer usage to full loads;
· shorten shower time; and
· limit flushing toilets.
Residents with non-life threatening emergencies, such as sewage backup, should dial 1-888-684-4274. All those with life threatening emergencies should dial 911. For more information on the Conserve Water Order, please visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/health.
