Protect Long Island’s Water. Protect What Makes New York… New York. New York bagels are famous for a reason: our water.
But the aquifers that supply Long Island’s drinking water are under increasing pressure from saltwater intrusion, over-pumping, and rising demand.
STB! is a public awareness initiative led by Residents Forward’s Youth Climate Action Program to spark conversation, education, and action to protect Long Island’s groundwater.
Because when we protect our water, we protect our homes, our economy, and our future.
Long Island’s Aquifer System
When we pump more than nature can replace, saltwater moves toward our drinking water wells.
Save Water. Save the Bagel. A NY Problem.
What makes New York, New York? Bagels.
And what makes New York bagels the best?
Our Water.
Long Island relies entirely on aquifers for its drinking water.
These underground reservoirs depend on balance: rainwater refills them, while water leaves through pumping and natural flows to streams and coastal waters.
But when we pump too much, that delicate balance is disrupted. When the balance tips too far, some wells can become contaminated and unusable.
Our Solution? Balance the water to protect our future.
We are proposing the 2050 LI Groundwater Rebalance—a new, coordinated initiative to restore balance to our aquifer and secure our water future.
We are calling on our elected officials to fund and launch this five-year (2027–2032) water conservation and recharge initiative, turning existing science into real, measurable action.
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Reduce over-pumping of our aquifers
Increase groundwater recharge
Expand water conservation programs
Align policies, funding, and public engagement
Increase groundwater discharge to estuaries to support healthy ecosystems
Set measurable targets to achieve water balance by 2050
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Public education and culture shift around water use
Water saving irrigation technology and practices
Native low water landscaping organic care demonstrations and training
Permeable surfaces, rain gardens, and green infrastructure
Stormwater capture and aquifer recharge projects
Investigation and implementation of SOPs for high water-use categories
Smart metering technology to detect leaks and manage water budgets
Water reuse systems
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Subject: Support a 2050 LI Groundwater Rebalance Program
Dear Governor Hochul, NYS Assembly & Senate Leadership, and Local
Representatives,
I attended a Residents Forward Youth Climate Action program on rebalancing Long Island’s groundwater, where students, mentored by experts in water science, policy, and sustainability are calling for a science-based, practical path forward.
I am writing to express strong support for the proposed 2050 LI Groundwater Rebalance Program—a five-year program to protect our groundwater and ensure a sustainable water supply for future generations.
Long Island depends entirely on a sole-source aquifer system for drinking water. In this five-year period, all the components necessary to rebalance the aquifer will be put in place.
Today, that system is under increasing stress from overuse and reduced natural recharge. Addressing this challenge requires a coordinated, regional approach that both reduces demand and increases the amount of water returned to our aquifers.
A 2050 LI Groundwater Rebalance Program offers a science-based, practical path forward. By funding and launching this initiative, Long Island can scale water conservation and recharge solutions—such as smart irrigation, withdrawal strategies, green infrastructure, stormwater capture, and leak detection technologies— to rebalance the aquifer and avoid more costly problems in the future.
A 2050 LI Groundwater Rebalance Program builds upon important work already underway. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and The United States Geological Survey LI Groundwater Sustainability Study has identified vulnerabilities in our aquifer system. The NYS DEC Long Island Watershed Action Agenda calls for groundwater sustainability through conservation and management of our water resources. And regional efforts like the 2026 Manhasset Bay Protection Committee Water Quality Improvement Plan highlight the need to filter and recharge.
A 2050 LI Groundwater Rebalance Program will allow us to take the next step—turning these necessary actions into a coordinated master plan with timelines and benchmarks.
Please act to allocate funding in the next NY State Budget to establish A 2050 LI Groundwater Rebalance Program Implementation Team, charged with developing and advancing a 2050 LI Groundwater Rebalance Program. The five-year rebalance program should accomplish its goal by 2050. This action signals a clear commitment to a sustainable Long Island’s water supply.
Thank you for your leadership and commitment to our community.
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Funded by the Angela and Scott Jaggar Foundation and generous donors of Residents Forward’s Environmental Education Program.