Traditional septic systems don’t actually treat your wastewater. Instead, that polluted wastewater is released directly into the ground, contaminating our groundwater and sole source aquifer, which is where Long Island gets all of our drinking water from. Eventually, it will also travel to our surface waters, making waters so polluted that it is no longer safe for swimming and recreation. Furthermore, this damages our ecosystems and harms wildlife.

Wastewater contains high levels of nitrogen, a leading cause of water pollution on Long Island.

Algae loves to eat nutrients like nitrogen. When wastewater from outdated septic systems and cesspools contribute to the levels of nitrogen and other nutrients getting too high, it creates harmful algae blooms, also known as HABS. These blooms cause major changes in water chemistry, including high pH and changes to dissolved oxygen levels. Lack of oxygen created by decomposing algal blooms can result in fish kills and generally harms all types of aquatic life and important ecosystems like eelgrass and shellfish beds. Harmful algal blooms can also produce toxins linked to adverse health effects in humans, wildlife, and domestic pets.

Map of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABS)

Furthermore, when systems eventually fail, and potentially have a catastrophic failure, it can lead to sewage backing up into the home, foul odors, and damage that can be devastating and extremely expensive to repair.

That is why you should upgrade your septic system to an Innovative Alternative (I/A) Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS). These improved systems remove 70% of nitrogen from your wastewater, keeping the water we drink and swim in safe, while avoiding catastrophic failure.

Upgrading is truly an investment in your home, health, community and environment.

New York State and Suffolk County both have grant programs you can apply to with a single application to help offset the costs of upgrading your septic system to an IA OWTS.

Visit https://suffolkcountyny.gov/septicgrants for additional detailed information.

More Financial Assistance Available!

The towns of Southampton, East Hampton, and Shelter Island have rebate programs to provide additional financial assistance to upgrade!

PEP’s Innovative/ Alternative (I/A) Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Maintenance Grant

The County has developed a new grant program with funding from the Peconic Estuary Partnership to reimburse homeowners within the PEP contributing area up to $500 per year when an operations and maintenance contract for an I/A OWTS has been renewed. Annual contract renewal will be required and this funding is in addition to the 3 years of maintenance already covered by the Septic Improvement Program (SIP) grant.

Learn More and Apply to the I/A OWTS Maintenance Grant

Click Here →

Presentations:

Septic Improvement presentations include the following information

• Information on why you should upgrade, including explanations on nitrogen pollution and its effects on the environment and human health.
• Location specific information on harmful algal blooms (HABS), ecological sensitivity, nitrogen sources, and groundwater travel times.
• Detailed information on the grant and rebate programs.
• Step by step instructions on how to apply.
• Information on what to except from the grant and installation process.
• Information on PEP water quality initiatives.

Schedule a Presentation For Your Group!

To schedule a presentation for one of your groups meetings, reach out to the Water Quality Outreach Specialist Rachel Friedman by emailing Rachel.Friedman.1@stonybrook.edu!

Check out the ecological sensitivity maps utilized in our Septic Improvement Presentations:

Click here to see maps of ecological sensitivity. These include nitrogen source graphs and ground water travel time depictions. Starting on page 239. →

Visit CleanWaterCash.org

The Peconic Estuary Partnership is working with The Group For The East End to provide all the information you will need about upgrading your septic system to an I/A OWTS in one convenient location!

Visit CleanWaterCash.org to learn more! →

Septic Improvement Fact Sheet

View the Septic Improvement Fact Sheet →

Septic Infographic

View the Septic Infographic →

I/A Maintenance Grant Fact Sheet

View the I/A Maintenance Grant Fact Sheet →

Septic Diagram