Manhasset Lakeville WD

Where Does Our Tap Water Come From? Generally, municipal water sources include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land or through underground layers, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals. In some cases, it can also pick up radioactive materials or substances from animal activity or human development.

Potential contaminants we monitor in source water include: microbiological contaminants, inorganic substances, nitrates, lead, copper, pesticides, herbicides, volatile and synthetic organic chemicals, radioactive elements, and trihalomethanes. To ensure safety, both State and EPA regulations limit specific contaminant levels in public water supplies. Similarly, the State Health Department and FDA establish limits for bottled water contaminants.

The Manhasset-Lakeville Water District draws groundwater from both the Magothy and Lloyd aquifer systems beneath our service area. We currently operate fourteen wells at eleven locations throughout Manhasset, Lake Success, North Hills, Great Neck, and New Hyde Park. The water delivered to your home is a blend from these individual wells.

Following Nassau County Department of Health requirements, we treat our raw water at each facility with Sodium Hydroxide to adjust pH and sodium hypochlorite (chlorine) for bacterial control. We remove volatile organic chemicals using air stripping (aeration) or carbon filtration. The water from Shelter Rock Road well #2 and Gracefield well undergoes blending before distribution as a treatment for high nitrate levels in Shelter Rock well #2. We use ion exchange to remove nitrate from Searingtown wells #1 and #2.

State-certified operators conduct daily inspections at each well site to monitor chemical treatments and well conditions. Independent state-approved laboratories analyze representative water samples from our distribution system. The Nassau County Department of Health also collects and tests samples while reviewing all results. Additionally, advanced computer systems continuously monitor our water system and treatment facilities for optimal operation.

1. I have a question about my water bill, turning my water on/off, or transferring my service to a new address. Please contact the Water Billing Department at (409) 983-8293.
2. I pay property taxes to the city yearly. Why isn't water included? City Water Utilities operates as an enterprise fund, meaning we don't receive tax dollar support and must operate on revenue generated from water bills. This revenue funds operations, maintenance, expansion, and improvements to potable water and sanitary sewer systems, plus supports other city services through franchise fees and overhead payments.
3. How do I connect, transfer, or disconnect my service? If you don't currently have active service in your name, we require: photo ID (driver's license), proof of address (lease or agreement), and a copy of your social security card. Visit our office at 444 4th Street or complete the online application. A non-refundable connection fee applies when establishing service. For online applications, this fee appears on your first bill. Current customers can call (409) 983-8230 to add additional service if their account is in good standing.
4. How quickly can I get water connected? We typically provide next business day service for requests received by 5 pm. Someone must be present at the location when water is activated.
5. Why should I call to cancel service if someone else is moving in after me? We strongly recommend customers notify us of service termination dates; otherwise, billing continues in your name. You remain responsible for all charges until the account is officially closed.
6. Why do I sometimes see fire hydrants open with water running? Besides routine maintenance of pipes, valves, and hydrants, staff performs regular flushing of the water distribution system to maintain quality. Flushing cleans sediment from lines, removes stagnant water from infrequently used pipes, and ensures adequate system pressure.
7. What is pretreatment? Pretreatment refers to the process where industrial and commercial facilities remove harmful pollutants from wastewater before discharging it into the municipal sewer system.
8. What does a pretreatment inspector do? They protect our sewer collection system and Wastewater Treatment Plant from establishments that might discharge harmful pollutants. Inspectors regulate facilities to ensure compliance with permits and federal/state laws through periodic effluent testing.
9. What is a grease trap/interceptor? It's a plumbing device designed to separate grease and solids from kitchen wastewater before it enters the sewer collection system.
10. What's the difference between a grease trap and a grease interceptor? While both remove grease from commercial wastewater, traps are smaller indoor devices (typically under 250 gallons), usually installed under sinks and often made of metal with a single compartment. Interceptors are larger pre-cast concrete tanks (up to 5,000+ gallons) with two separate compartments, sized according to current Uniform Plumbing Code standards.
11. When is a grease trap/interceptor required? Any commercial or food establishment that poses a direct or potential risk of discharging fats, oils or grease into the collection system must install one.
12. How do I dispose of grease trap waste? It must be transported to an approved disposal site by a TCEQ-licensed liquid waste hauler. Proper waste manifest documentation must be maintained for the previous three years of operation.
13. Who handles pretreatment questions? Contact the Pretreatment department at (409) 983-8278.