The Plainview Water District has announced a new program that will help support local businesses that prioritize water conservation and environmental sustainability.
The district is launching the Blue Business Partner Program, which will provide businesses with resources, recognition and incentives to implement water-saving measures while encouraging businesses to adopt practices to reduce water consumption. The district will provide participating businesses with certificates and stickers to display in their establishments and other rewards. The water district said the program is free for business owners to take part in.
“The Blue Business Partner Program reflects the Plainview Water District’s commitment to conserving our most precious resource and building a sustainable future for the Plainview-Old Bethpage community,” Plainview Water District Commissioner Marc Laykind said. “By working together with local businesses, we can recognize those who are following best practices and can make a meaningful impact on our water usage while fostering environmental awareness in our community.”
The district said that it recognized roughly 20 businesses immediately following the implementation of the program. Laykind said he hopes more businesses will follow suit.
“Let’s try to recognize the businesses that do that part,” Laykind said about the district coming up with the idea for the program.
The district serves Plainview as well as parts of Old Bethpage and Syosset. It has six facilities in the area that provide 24.5 million gallons of water per day which serves roughly 34,000 residents.
“Our local businesses have always been at the heart of the POB community, and this program is an opportunity to showcase their leadership,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader
The district uses 12 deep-water wells that tap into the Magothy aquifer, one of three main aquifers on Long Island. The Magothy aquifer supplies more than 90% of the water used in Nassau County as well as roughly half of the water used in Suffolk County, according to the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association. Plainview Water District Commissioner Michael Chad said conservation is important to all on the island.
“Preserving our environment and sole-source aquifer is a shared responsibility and our Blue Business Partner Program empowers businesses to be part of the solution,” he said.
The new initiative goes along with the district’s Preserve Plainview water conservation campaign, which encourages residents to conserve water when possible.
