Boost to Drinking Water Protection

The Suffolk County Legislature approved a measure last week that could bolster the county’s drinking water protection program by paying reimbursements for the salaries of employees doing water quality work back to the program, rather than into the county’s general fund.

According to Legislator Jay Schneiderman’s office, a portion of the drinking water protection fund has been used to pay those salaries, parts of which are eligible for federal and state reimbursement. A resolution put forward by Mr. Schneiderman and passed unanimously by the Legislature on Dec. 2 would ensure that reimbursements are credited to the drinking water program, bringing an anticipated $300,000-a-year increase to the fund. County Executive Steve Bellone is expected to sign it into law in short order.