Hempstead’s water system needs a lot of work – over 50 million dollars of renovations according to Village of Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs.

The Village of Hempstead reached out to federal, state and county governments looking for help funding the project, which would help to bring down the high levels of 1,4 dioxane contaminant in the water, a contaminant believed to cause cancer.

Wednesday, Nassau County Legislators Siela Bynoe and Scott Davis joined with frustrated residents to demand action after their request for American Rescue Plan Act funding has not yet been answered. They submitted their request in early May, but they say nothing has happened. Meanwhile, similar requests and other water-related projects in Farmingdale, Great Neck and Hicksville have been, or are about to be, approved by the Nassau County legislature just weeks after being submitted.

A spokesman for County Executive Bruce Blakeman tells News 12:

“The Village of Hempstead is seeking federal and state funding for its capital plan and since any extension of funds is not reimbursable, the county is waiting to see what funds the federal and state governments have allocated to this project before committing county taxpayer dollars.”