New York State Parks officials have announced that a nearly two-year project connecting the sewage outfall pipe to the Cedar Creek Water Pollution Control Plant in Wantagh is completed.
The $2.2 million project in the summer of 2010 was a partnership between the state and Nassau County and is designed to reduce the effluent that is spilled into the Western Bays as well as improve the habitat and water quality. Before the connection to the Cedar Creek plant, the Jones Beach sewage treatment outfall pipe discharged into the Western Bays. The project was completed by Medford-based DF Stone Contracting.
"This is a significant step forward in protecting our Western Bays and this diversion of treated sewage advances our agenda of restoring these waters," said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizen's Campaign for the Environment. "Never again will the Jones Beach Sewage treatment plant discharge sewage effluent into this already stressed and degraded water body. The popular and beloved Zach's Bay will be cleaner and safer for boaters, swimmers, residents and families."
"Nassau County was happy to work with New York State to bring this critical project to completion," said Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano. "The health of our bays and estuaries must be protected and this project goes a long way in achieving that goal."
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