Riverhead residents push back against proposed Suffolk Water Authority pipeline
At a public forum Wednesday evening, community members gathered to voice frustration over the project, which would transport water from Flanders, in the Town of Southampton, to Southold on the North Fork.
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A proposal by the Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) to construct an 8.5-mile water pipeline is drawing opposition from Riverhead residents and officials, who say the plan offers the town no benefits while imposing major disruptions.
At a public forum Wednesday evening, community members gathered to voice frustration over the project, which would transport water from Flanders, in the Town of Southampton, to Southold on the North Fork. The pipeline would run directly through Riverhead, but officials say the town would not receive any of the water it carries.
Dawn Thomas, community development director for the Town of Riverhead, criticized the project as unfair to local taxpayers.
"The brunt of the entire project is borne by the taxpayers of the Town of Riverhead, and the benefit to the town is literally zero," she said.
In a written statement, a spokesperson for SCWA said,
“The Suffolk County Water Authority aims to continue our ongoing dialogue with the Town of Riverhead regarding this important project. Our goal is always to work with local partners and understand the concerns of the community.”
According to SCWA, the pipeline is necessary because the current water supply on the North Fork cannot meet growing demand. However, it's unclear whether the project has full support from Southold, the town meant to benefit from the additional water.
Southold Town Supervisor Al Krupski raised concerns that the project could encourage overdevelopment in his town.
“Normally, this kind of utility would spur growth,” Krupski said. “Decades ago, it spurred growth in a lot of areas on the existing lots. So we know the availability of public water will spur growth.”
SCWA responded that the pipeline represents a long-term solution to water supply issues in the region.
Next week, a separate hearing will address whether SCWA would have immunity from any of Riverhead’s zoning laws.
