By Hank Russell
Upgrades to the Elmont water tower are expected to be completed within a couple of weeks, says Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages (D-Valley Stream).
The contractor, NUCO, has already replaced the torn containment system and cabling on the tank, Solages posted on his Facebook page. In addition, the company addressed some flash rusting on the tank while it was dormant. A striper, or a primer, coat has been applied.
“Once the entire tank is stripe coated they will begin the final coat to the tank,” Solages posted. “Once the final coat is cured, they will add the 2 ‘Elmont’ logos on either side of the tank.”
The “eyesore,” said Solages, known as the old containment system, will be taken away. However, “[t]here is more work to be performed after that to get the tank back into service.” Subsequent work to get the tank back into service will not impact the neighborhood, officials advised Legislator Solages.
Throughout the multi-year process of completing repairs to the water tower, Solages has worked with representatives from the Water Authority and the Nassau County Police Department, which housed communications equipment on the tower, to identify solutions for advancing the project, which is now on the verge of completion.
“For many years, we have fought as a community to modernize the Elmont Water Tower and revitalize it to become a fitting beacon for the true gateway to Nassau County – whether you are driving in, arriving in Elmont from Grand Central Station, or flying above our beautiful and diverse community,” Solages said. “I thank Elmont residents for their patience throughout this process and the Western Nassau Water Authority for continuing to follow through on this vital infrastructure project.”