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 our waters so polluted that it is no longer safe to swim and recreate it. Furthermore, this damages our ecosystems and harms wildlife.
Wastewater contains high levels of nitrogen, a leading cause of water pollution on Long Island.
Algae love 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 When wastewater from outdated septic systems and cesspools contribute to the levels of nitrogen and other nutrients getting too high, it creates harmful algae blooms, also known as HABS.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 aqualic life and our important aquatic ecosystems like eelgrass and shellfish beds. Harmful Algal Blooms can also produce toxins linked to adverse health effects in humans, wildlife, and domestic pets.
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 clean and 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.
Combined Total: $25,000 bASE gRANT
$30,000 FOR lmi!
Visit https://suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Public-Works/Septic-Improvement-Program for additional detailed information.
The towns of Southampton, East Hampton and Shelter Island have rebate programs to provide additional financial assistance to upgrade!
The Peconic Estuary Partnership is supporting the Suffolk County Septic Improvement Program with continual outreach efforts, including presentations given across the estuary, informative post cards sent to peoples homes, tabling events and more.
Presentations:
Septic Improvement presentations include the following information
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!
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!
