Suffolk Exec. Bellone tackles clean water, brain drain in State of the County address

By: 
News 12 Long Island
Publication: 
News 12 Long Island
Mar
6
2014

HAUPPAUGE - Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone delivered the State of the County address to the Suffolk County Legislature Wednesday evening.

The county executive says Suffolk gained about 18,000 jobs in the past year, but more must be done to help thwart brain drain in the county’s communities.

He also spoke about the importance of cleaning up Long Island's water supply.

"This is a year of action for our water,” said Bellone. “By the end of this year, we will have firmly identified the scope of the problem, begun work to sewer critical areas, have a clear roadmap as to what type of technology we need for every impacted home."

Bellone says there are 360,000 un-sewered homes in Suffolk. The county is set to begin testing systems this year to reduce nitrogen pollution.