Water for Long Island

​​L.I. Aquifer Management Compact​

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      New York State has three regional water management compacts* working to protect and manage the river-based surface water resources beyond  Long Island.  The compacts provide science-based, day-to-day oversight and management necessary to assure that the surface waters are  available to a wide array of water needs and users - - industry, agriculture, manufacturing, municipal drinking water, fisheries, wildlife, and all other stakeholders of the region.   

     Long Island is in need of a similar regional water management structure that is independent of special interests, staffed by groundwater experts and professionals, to provide scientifically rigorous management of the groundwater stored beneath the island.


   A Long Island Aquifer Management Compact will have the administrative and legal authority of other compacts to provide services such as:   

  • ​  Oversee water allocation through the well-permit program using clear scientific principles and criteria for water withdrawals by more than 2,000 water supply, irrigation and other types of  wells throughout the aquifer system.  
  •   Develop and implementstrategies to improve water quality, track water trends, model island-wide quality and quantity conditions, and communicate the results of management efforts to the public and officials. Fund research on nitrate removal as well as remediation technology for Superfund and other contaminated sites.
  • Proactivelystrive for sustainable practices of water use, and plan for the uncertainty of future conditions such as sea level rise, flooding, drought and extreme weather in general.  
  • Work to identify communities vulnerable to saltwater intrusion and take measures to reduce risk to such areas.
  • Work with and fund studies, data collection and long-term projects with the US Geological Survey (USGS).
  • Advance the cleanup of groundwater at Superfund and other contaminated sites. 
  • Communicate regularly with the public and officials, using annual updates, special reports, studies, hearings and other means to help improve overall public understanding of our aquifers and groundwater. 
  • Using the latest scientific information, establish a region-wide and sub-regional water budgets, as the basis for sustainable water policies and practices on Long Island.  


  The Long Island Aquifer Management Compact will:

      A.  Be founded on scientific and professional best practices.

      B.  Provide proactive, comprehensive oversight of the entire L.I. aquifer system.

      C.  Be independent, self-supporting and not reliant on any level of government for funding.


    *  The three regional river-basin compacts in New York State are:

        The Delaware River-basin Compact;

        The Susquehanna River-basin Compact; and

        The Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River-basin Compact.