It is without taxing power and operates as a business enterprise. The Chairman and four Members of the Board are appointed by the Suffolk County Legislature for 5-year staggered terms. The vast majority of the revenue the Authority receives is that obtained from the sale of water to its customers.
Any excess revenue is used for construction purposes.
The Suffolk County Water Authority is the largest purveyor dependent on an underground water supply in the nation. The Authority is operated solely for the benefit of the customers it serves.