| Division of Water DEC Delivers wants to make sure wastewater and water treatment plant operators are aware of an opportunity to obtain FEMA cloth masks through NYWARN, assisted by NYWEA, NYRWA, and NYSAWWA. Please work through your utility, rather than individually, to avoid duplication of efforts.
Although significant quantities of these masks are anticipated for distribution in New York, the total quantity of masks remains unknown at the this time. Accordingly, masks will be initially allocated to requesting utilities at the rate of five (5) masks per full time employee. As supplies may be limited, requests will be filled on a first come-first served basis.
If you are interested in requesting FEMA masks through this program, NYWARN asks that you click on this link to fill out the official request form.
Please fill this form out completely and accurately so that NYWARN has all pertinent data and contact information. If you have multiple SPDES or PWSID numbers for service areas within your system, please provide only the number for your primary service area. Timely action in filling out this request will help place your utility near the top of the request list while also providing us with an indication of what the actual needs are here in New York.
In order to facilitate distribution of masks throughout the State, we have established five (5) primary points of distribution (PODs) which should allow for reasonable access to the masks for most utilities. The location of each POD (along with the associated contact information) is provided as follows (Note: Requests will only be accepted by completing the official request form – click here)
New York City DEP BWS
71 Smith Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401
Contact: Alan Kelly Phone: (845) 340-7201
Email: akelly@dep.nyc.gov
Suffolk County Water Authority (Long Island, NY)180 5th Avenue, Bay Shore, NY 11706 Contact: Phil Thompson Phone: (631) 665-0662
Email: pthompson@scwa.com
Wayne County Water and Sewer Authority (near Rochester, NY) 3377 Daansen Road, Walworth, NY 14568
Contact: Marty Aman Phone: (315) 986-1929
Email: maman@wcwsa.org
Mohawk Valley Water Authority 1 Kennedy Plaza, Utica, NY 13502
Contact: Phil Tangorra Phone: (315) 792-0319
Email: ptangorra@mvwa.us
City of Troy Water Department 25 Water Plant Road, Troy, NY 12182
Contact: Chris Wheland Phone: (518) 237-0611
Email: chris.wheland@troyny.gov
When filling out your request form, please indicate your closest (or desired) POD so that requests may be forwarded to the appropriate location. Once masks are available at your selected POD, you will receive an email indicating this. Details for pick-up, delivery and/or shipping must then be arranged through the contact person at your selected POD.
Although these masks are provided by FEMA without cost, special arrangements for mailing or shipping (if required) will be at the cost of the requesting utility.
We ask that you please consider working with neighboring utilities and/or local Water Conferences or Wastewater Chapters to coordinate the pick-up of masks for multiple utilities in your area. If you choose to pick up on behalf of multiple utilities, please make sure that each utility has properly filled out the mask request form. Please also understand that once items are picked up at the POD, distribution is then the responsibility of the receiver.
NYRWA and NYWEA have offered to help with distribution and/or coordination with multiple utilities in instances where that fits within their respective capabilities and schedule. We ask that you please follow all recommended social distancing and other protective requirements and guidelines that may exist at the time of your pick-up or delivery.
Please note that there is NO GUARANTEE of mask availability for all utilities in New York State through this program. At this time, it is recommended that you not cancel or reduce previous orders or ongoing supply arrangements that you may have made with other sources.
NYWARN is pleased to be able to assist with this effort as a means of supporting all water and wastewater utilities in New York State as they adapt to the many challenges at hand, while also continuing to provide reliable and essential services for all.
If you have any questions regarding this program or if you have problems in accessing /filling out the mask request form, please email: support@nywarn.org or reach out to one of the below contacts.
New York Rural Water Association – NYRWA
Jamie Herman – herman@nyruralwater.org
New York Water Environment Association – NYWEA
Tanya May Jennings – tmj@nywea.org
New York Section American Water Works Association – NYSAWWA
Jenny Ingrao – (716) 665-0616 – jenny@nysawwa.org |
