SENWA Updates Progress On Possible Aqua Takeover

The  ongoing effort to take over private water company continued this week as the Water Authority of Southeastern Nassau County approved a contract with an attorney to assist in their bid to take over the privately-held company.

Aqua New York serves more than 152,000 New Yorkers, many of whom have been angered at what they describe as outrageous fees and poor service.

"Our mission was to make sure if it would make sense to buy the Aqua, formerly New York Water operation, and run it as a municipal operation," said Water Authority Chairman Richard T. Ronan at the group's meeting at Merrick Road Park Wednesday.

Ronan welcomed the signing of the law firm of Sahn Ward Coschignano and Baker of Uniondale to assist with the Aqua takeover.

The Authority, which was reconstituted two years ago to explore taking control of Aqua.

"We negotiated some terms, and basically got the fees down and came to an understanding," Ronan said of the law firm. "They seem like decent people, and we hereby award the legal services contract to them."

One major stumbling block on the long road to acquiring Aqua was lack of funds. However, after a financial dry spell, this evening Ronan announced the Authority was getting some financial backing.

"When we were re-formed, we were given some generous seed money, and we hoped to get some grant money from New York State and Nassau County. However, with the economy in the shape it's in, we didn't get anything," he said. "But tonight, I'm pleased to announce tonight that we will be getting a grant of $50,000 from the Town of Hempstead, and $25,000 from the Town of Oyster Bay."

"They, in this economy, saw fit to dig deep, and we're pleased that we can hire engineers and accountants to help us evaluate the situation with Aqua," Ronan added.

Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg, D-Merrick, who has been a long-tome proponent of the Aqua takeover voiced his approval at this new forward momentum, but reiterated that the patience of his constituents is wearing thin.

"I’m going to urge you on behalf of everyone here and the thousands of people who keep writing and emailing me...we want to see action, and we want to see it now,” he said.

Claudia Borecky, president of the North and Central Merrick Civic Association, said she was outraged at how Aqua has taken advantage of its customers.

"We can't have private water...we need public water," she said. "The private companies are making record profits off of us, and that reason alone is why we need a change."