A total of $7 million in federal funding is set to go toward laying down new water pipes to Manorville and Calverton.
Residents in the area live in the path of a toxic plume in the aquifer believed to be linked to the Navy Grumman site, where F-4 Tomcats and A-6 Intruders rolled off the production line.
The surrounding community says the Navy and Grummon left behind a legacy of contaminated water.
“This is the beginning. Sure, we need more funding, but this is the start and now we know we are going to get the water,” says Manorville resident Kelly McClinchy.
Sens. Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Lee Zeldin worked together to secure the funding, along with community members and the Citizens Campaign for the Environment.
“When you come here and we turn on the faucet and there is public water coming out of it -- that's when the fight, the push will be over,” says Manorville resident Ron Martz.
There is no timeline as to when the project can start and the homes in Manorville will be hooked up to public water.