In an ongoing effort to provide a modern, state-of-the-art system that meets strict environmental standards, Oyster Bay Sewer District commissioners work to ensure that the district's equipment and infrastructure are maintained regularly and kept in tip-top condition at all times.

Covering 975 acres, the Sewer District serves the hamlet of Oyster Bay and small portions of the surrounding communities through approximately 2,000 hookups and more than 20 miles of sewer.

The following provides a brief overview of current projects:

• Routine maintenance work at the Highwood Road pump station will continue into early 2000. In addition to replacing and upgrading controls, pumps and valves, the district is installing a backflow prevention device to bring the water service in line with current health department standards. The simple but necessary device will prevent any contaminants from entering the public water supply should a sudden drop in pressure occur.
  
  "By upgrading our infrastructure according to a schedule, we minimize maintenance problems and prevent breakdowns," explained Oyster Bay Sewer Commissioner Thomas D. Galasso. "Everyone knows that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
  
  
• In the fall of last year, the district became the recipient of a $3.75 million grant that will ultimately reduce the level of nitrogen it discharges into the Long Island Sound. At this point, the district's consulting engineers, Holzmacher, McLendon & Murrell, are in the planning stages and working to ensure that the end product produced by the new facility will meet NY State Department of Environmental Conservation requirements. A draft report is expected by the end of 1999.
  
  
• Another proactive project, the district's grit chamber equipment will be changed and upgraded in early 2000. Not only is this considered routine maintenance, but the new equipment will improve the facility's performance. Grit chambers are found at the head end of the plant and are designed to remove heavy solid materials such as sand, gravel and cinders. Additionally, eggshells, bone chips, seeds, coffee grounds and large organic particles such as food waste are removed. This important process protects moving mechanical equipment from abrasion and reduces the formation of heavy deposits in pipelines, channels and conduits.
  
  
• The Oyster Bay Sewer District recently introduced one of the most cost-effective means of utilizing computers to reduce costs and increase efficiency. With frequest updates, the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Map currently provides a birds-eye view of the entire district collection system and can reference maps which indicate house connection locations, among other things.
  
  
• Eventually, after all the necessary data is entered, the computer will know every detail of the district, including the history of each piece of equipment, the size and age of each pipe, the date of each repair and other pertinent information.

"It's amazing what you can do with computers," stated Commissioner Galasso. "This new program will be a tremendous asset to the district in a short time and will provide future generations with volumes of important data."