What Is the South Huntington Water District?
The South Huntington Water District (SHWD) is a public water utility serving a defined geographic area in the Town of Huntington, Suffolk County, New York. The district is responsible for delivering clean, safe drinking water to all accounts within its service area.
SHWD is one of many special water districts on Long Island — a form of local government common across New York State, created specifically to manage water supply for a defined community. The district operates as a public benefit organization, not a private company.
Who Does SHWD Serve?
The South Huntington Water District serves approximately 18,000 ratepayer accounts within its service area.
Ratepayer accounts include:
- Residential accounts — single-family homes, condominiums, apartment buildings
- Commercial accounts — businesses, offices, retail establishments
- Institutional accounts — schools, government facilities, non-profits
Average bills vary significantly by account type:
- Average residential bill: approximately $202/year (Source: Newsday)
- Average commercial bill: approximately $923/year (Source: Newsday)
In addition to water charges, all taxable property within the district boundaries are subject to the SHWD property tax levy, which funds debt service on capital bonds.
Governance Structure
Board of Commissioners
The South Huntington Water District is governed by an elected Board of Commissioners. Commissioners are elected by district residents and serve staggered terms. The board is responsible for:
- Setting water rates
- Approving the district budget
- Authorizing capital projects
- Overseeing district management and operations
Board meetings are held every Wednesday at 8:30 AM at SHWD’s main office: 75 Fifth Avenue South, Huntington Station, NY 11746. Meetings are open to the public. Minutes of board meetings are public records.
The Town of Huntington Relationship
One aspect of SHWD governance that is less widely understood is its relationship with the Town of Huntington Town Board regarding bond issuances.
Unlike some local government entities, SHWD does not have independent bonding authority. When the district needs to borrow money to fund capital infrastructure — water treatment plants, main replacements, system upgrades — it must obtain authorization from the Huntington Town Board before issuing bonds.
This means that:
- The Town Board plays a direct role in determining the district’s borrowing capacity
- Bond authorizations approved by the Town Board create future debt service obligations for SHWD ratepayers
- The same body that approves development applications in the Town of Huntington also authorizes the bonds that fund the infrastructure needed to serve those developments
This governance relationship is significant context for understanding how development decisions and ratepayer costs connect.
District Management
Day-to-day operations of the South Huntington Water District are handled by professional staff under the direction of the Board of Commissioners. The district employs licensed water operators, engineers, and administrative personnel.
How Water Rates Are Set
Water rates are set by the Board of Commissioners, typically through an annual budget and rate review process. Factors that influence rate changes include:
- Operating costs — staffing, chemicals, electricity, routine maintenance
- Capital investment — the cost of building and upgrading infrastructure
- Debt service — principal and interest payments on outstanding bonds
- Regulatory requirements — compliance with state and federal drinking water standards
- Revenue needs — the district must generate sufficient revenue to cover all obligations
Rate changes require board action and are subject to public notice. Residents can monitor proposed rate changes by attending board meetings or reviewing board agendas.
In 2024, SHWD’s total revenue was approximately:
- Water charges: $5.87 million
- Property tax levy: $4.59 million
- 1,4-Dioxane surcharge: $1.68 million
The 1,4-Dioxane Situation
1,4-Dioxane is an industrial compound classified by the U.S. EPA as a probable human carcinogen. It has been detected in the groundwater that feeds SHWD’s wells — the district’s sole water source.
Background
Long Island’s water supply is drawn entirely from the underlying aquifer system — there are no surface water sources. 1,4-Dioxane entered that groundwater through decades of industrial activity in the region. It is not produced by the water district or its customers; it is an inherited environmental contamination problem.
New York State has set a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for 1,4-dioxane of **1 part per billion (ppb)** — among the strictest standards in the country. Water districts must treat their supply to meet this standard before delivering water to customers.
SHWD’s wells have been rated highly susceptible to contamination, making the district’s exposure to this issue significant.
What SHWD Is Doing
The district has taken active steps to address 1,4-dioxane:
- Dedicated surcharge: A $25/quarter ($100/year) per-account surcharge was established in 2021 specifically to fund 1,4-dioxane treatment
- Treatment Plant 10: A $7.95 million treatment facility currently in development to remove 1,4-dioxane before water reaches customers
- Legal action: SHWD is one of three Long Island water districts participating in a class action lawsuit against manufacturers of 1,4-dioxane products
The Ongoing Cost
1,4-Dioxane remediation is an ongoing, long-term expense. The surcharge is not a one-time charge — it is expected to remain in place as treatment systems are built and operated. The $7.95 million Treatment Plant 10 represents just one component of the multi-year remediation investment the district will need to make.
Contact the District
The South Huntington Water District welcomes contact from ratepayers and community members.
Address 75 Fifth Avenue South, Huntington Station, NY 11746
Phone 631-427-8190
Email info@shwd.org
Website shwd.org
Board Meetings Every Wednesday, 8:30 AM
Meeting Location 75 Fifth Avenue South, Huntington Station
What You Can Contact the District About
- Questions about your water bill or service
- Requests for public documents (financial statements, capital plans)
- Questions about water quality or 1,4-dioxane testing
- Requests to attend or speak at a board meeting
- Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests
How to Access Public Records
SHWD is a public entity subject to New York State’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). The following documents are available as public records:
- Audited annual financial statements
- Annual budgets
- Board meeting minutes
- Capital project plans and contracts
- Bond authorization documents
- Water quality reports (Consumer Confidence Reports)
Sources: SHWD 2024 Audited Financial Statements; SHWD public records; Newsday. This page is intended as a neutral factual overview of the South Huntington Water District. For the most current information, contact SHWD directly at 631-427-8190 or info@shwd.org.