Nitrogen Pollution:

Excess nitrogen from human activities can cause detrimental impacts such as harmful algal blooms (HABs), coastal acidification, low levels of dissolved oxygen, and loss of critical aquatic habitat like eelgrass and shellfish beds. Over the past two decades, nitrogen pollution has become recognized as one of the greatest threats to the Peconic Estuary due to its far-reaching impacts.

Nitrogen pollution from cesspools and septic systems has been identified as the largest single cause of degraded water quality contributing to beach closures, restrictions on shell fishing, toxic algae blooms, and massive fish kills. When nitrogen reaches surface waters, it contributes to the degradation of our marshes, bays, and beaches. Thousands of parcels are currently served by polluting cesspools and septic systems, but will never connect to a sewer system due to funding constraints and environmental concerns. Reversing the degradation of water quality will depend on the replacement of existing systems with individual Innovative and Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (I/A OWTS).

Suffolk County’s Reclaim Our Water – Septic Improvement Program

Suffolk County has launched the Reclaim Our Water Initiative to regulate the use of I/A OWTS to ensure these advanced wastewater treatment systems continue to reduce nitrogen as they are designed to do. To make the cost of I/A systems more affordable for homeowners, Suffolk County has developed the Septic Improvement Program (SIP).

Under the SIP, homeowners who decide to replace their cesspool or septic system with the new I/A OWTS technologies may be eligible for grants from New York State and Suffolk County toward the purchase and installation of a nitrogen removal septic system and leaching structure. This funding enables homeowners to replace aging and failing cesspools with state-of-the-art technologies that significantly improve treatment, extend system life, and enhance safety.

The average total cost for nitrogen-removing I/A systems is approximately $20-30k, plus the cost of attendant engineering and design services. Costs vary on a case-by-case basis. Grant funding available through Suffolk County and New York State can cover up to $45,000 towards a project.

Innovative/ Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Maintenance Project

The first three years of system maintenance are covered as part of the manufacturer’s warranty. However, homeowners will need to sign yearly maintenance contracts and will be responsible for maintenance costs after the three-year warranty expires. It is anticipated that O&M will cost approximately $300 a year. PEP is working to provide financial assistance for maintenance costs to homeowners in the Peconic Estuary contributing area by allocating $50,000 of IIJA Funds towards additional years of maintenance costs.

Funding contained in the I/A Septic System Maintenance Contract Renewal Program is being made available by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to Peconic Estuary Partnership under the Clean Water Act section 320 and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This funding is being provided through assistance agreements between EPA and the Suffolk County Department of Health Services on behalf of the Peconic Estuary Partnership.

Funding

• Suffolk County Legislature has formally accepted IIJA funds awarded.
• PEP secured funds for Investment in Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA) year 2: $50,000
• $45,000 Additional PEP EPA Funds

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