The Bethpage and South Farmingdale (NY) Water Districts litigated and negotiated with defense contractor Northrop Grumman and the US Navy for nearly four decades. At issue was a contaminated groundwater plume emanating from the former Northrop Grumman Bethpage Facility and the Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant in Bethpage, and who was going to shoulder the costs of treating the water supply contaminated by historic operations at those facilities.

Time and again, the water districts were told there was nothing more to be done. But they were determined, and tireless, in their efforts to ensure the highest quality drinking water for their communities. So they turned to Sher Edling, who matched the water providers’ determination with the tenacity and expertise needed to get the job done.

In 2022, the parties entered into consent agreements and settlements that awarded $49 million to Bethpage Water District, and $15.5 million to South Farmingdale Water District. Both districts now have the funds to install, operate and maintain the Advanced Oxidation Process treatment required to remove 1,4-dioxane. John F. Coumatos, Chair of Bethpage Water District Board of Commissioners emphasized:

This is a big win for the Bethpage community, ensuring our ability to protect the quality of our drinking water. And an even bigger win for our residents, empowering us to build and operate the best water treatment technologies available without placing those costs on them.

(South Farmingdale Water District v. United States et al., No. 2:22-cv-02051, and Bethpage Water District v. United States et al., No. 2:22-cv-02050, both in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.)