Today, community  and environmental groups issued a letter to the Long Island legislative delegation demanding action to establish a public water authority for Nassau County. With one week remaining in New York State’s legislative session, signatories urged the Senate and Assembly to unify behind a bill to enable the transfer of water utility ownership from American Water to the public.

“It’s time to return Long Island’s water system to the people,” said Food & Water Watch Senior New York Organizer Eric Weltman. “Water is a human right, not a commodity to be traded for private profit. With one week left in the New York state legislative session, residents are clear that the Long Island legislative delegation must get serious about creating a public water utility for Nassau County.”

“Failure to act to provide public water for all Nassau residents is legislative malpractice,” said Dave Denenberg, Co-Director of Long Island Clean Air Water & Soil. “Water is our most precious resource that should be a clean, affordable, tax free public service for all.”

“This private water mess has gone on for way too long! The proposed sale to Liberty must be stopped,” said Agatha Nadel, Director of North Shore Concerned Citizens. “We must be on a path to affordable public water this Legislative session. Doing nothing is not an option.”

Contact: Phoebe Galt, [email protected]