A drinking-water violation notice has ignited frustration in Stony Brook, where residents say the longtime artesian well at the West Meadow Beach Conservation Center has been shut down—cutting off a beloved source of naturally flowing groundwater.
For years, a small pipe outside the center delivered cool, fresh water directly from the aquifer. Locals filled bottles there, praising the pure taste. But the pipe was capped following a Suffolk County Department of Health Services directive requiring the center to bring its water source into compliance with New York State’s sanitary code.
“Why now? A healthy resource has been taken away for no apparent reason. A sanitary code? After all these years? Please return our clean water, as before,” one angry resident said, echoing a sentiment shared across the community.
According to a public notice posted by the Conservation Center, the water system violated state regulations in October for failing to provide required disinfection—either chlorination or ultraviolet treatment—as mandated under Section 5-1.30(e) of the sanitary code. The violation was not an emergency, officials emphasized, and no contamination has been detected.
“Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms,” the notice stated, though it also stressed that residents did not need to boil their water or take corrective action. Those with weakened immune systems, infants, pregnant individuals, or elderly residents were advised to consult healthcare providers as a precaution.
The Center says it’s pursuing state-approved upgrades to bring the well into full compliance—either by installing a UV or chlorination system or connecting to a community water supply. The issue is expected to be resolved sometime in 2025.
Still, residents argue that longstanding access to clean, cold groundwater has been sacrificed to bureaucracy. Many say they’ll keep pressing for the return of what they considered one of West Meadow’s simplest natural treasures.