LI Water Conference held in Hauppauge

The fourth annual Long Island Water Conference was held Thursday afternoon in Hauppauge. Environmentalists, scientists, advocates and policy makers were given information about how to improve Long Island's

News 12 Staff

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May 15, 2015, 2:23 AM

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Updated 3,513 days ago

The fourth annual Long Island Water Conference was held Thursday afternoon in Hauppauge.

Environmentalists, scientists, advocates and policy makers were given information about how to improve Long Island's water quality.

"We have problems with harmful algae bloom, red tide, brown tide, low oxygen, loss of wetlands, loss of sea grass and shellfish," said Professor Christopher Gobler, of Stony Brook University.

Those in attendance shared details and strategies on current programs that are working and which ones are not.

Experts in Cape Cod say they have been exploring new technologies that include capturing and recycling groundwater and using urine-diverting toilets.

"About 90 percent of urine is nitrogen so we can capture it and process it and reuse it as a natural fertilizer," said environmental consultant Scott Horsley.

Environmentalist Dick Amper says technology, grants and greater public awareness offer hope for the polluted Northport Harbor and Long Island's other bays, estuaries and aquifers.

"We have the same plan as Cape Cod. The difference is they are doing it and we are still trying to catch up. But that's a good sign, because we are on our way," said Amper.

The Department of Environmental Conservation recently listed most of Long Island as having impaired water quality.