Scientists have confirmed the that the vast majority of septic systems installed across eastern Long Island do not effectively treat sewage, and contribute to the pollution of our beautiful bays and harbors. These faulty systems have been identified as the largest contributor of nitrogen pollution to the East End’s surface and groundwater systems, leading to beach closures, shellfishing restrictions, toxic algal blooms, and drinking water contamination, and has had an impact on the local economy and tourism. With grant funding from Suffolk County and the Long Island Community Foundation, Long Island Clean Water Partnership founding member organization Group for the East End has conducted outreach and education regarding the availability of substantial funding for East End residents. Now, up to $30,000 of grant funding to upgrade septic systems is available for these homeowners.
A new website, Clean Water Cash, has been launched to educate consumers on nitrogen pollution, alternative systems, and grants available through New York State, Suffolk County, and several East End towns.
“Fortunately, the technology is now available to greatly improve our wastewater treatment and residents can take advantage of a growing number of financial incentives that significantly reduce the cost of getting advanced treatment systems installed,” said Group for the East End president Bob DeLuca. “We developed the ‘Clean Water Cash’ website as a tool to help every resident easily understand the water quality issues facing our region, and find out what incentives they can qualify for if they want to install an advanced treatment system on their property. Thanks to support from Suffolk County and the Long Island Community Foundation, we are getting the word out through cleanwatercash.org and other outlets, and we are looking forward to cleaner waters all across our magnificent East End.”
Replacing older and failing systems with new state-of-the-start technology will lessen nitrogen pollution and lead to cleaner water. These innovative and advanced onsite wastewater treatment systems reduce nitrogen input up to 70%, as reported by Suffolk County.
The County’s Reclaim Our Water Septic Improvement Program is providing citizens with an opportunity to play a direct role in cleaning up water pollution by administrating up to $30,000 in County and State funding to upgrade conventional septic systems to new, state-of-the-art nitrogen reducing septic technology. More information on Suffolk County’s program can also be found at cleanwatercash.org.
In support of this campaign, Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming said, “The primary culprit of the nitrogen pollution is widely recognized as inadequate septic treatment. New York State, Suffolk County, East Hampton, Shelter Island, and Southampton Towns have all recognized this critical issue through the funding of grants. I applaud the work of the partnership between the Group for the East End and Suffolk County in making the process for eligible homeowners more accessible by compiling information for these valuable programs and launching cleanwatercash.org.”
Also in support, Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski shared, “Thank you to the Group for the East End for partnering with Suffolk County to get the word out about the Septic Improvement Program. I encourage homeowners to take advantage of the significant grants available and consider installing an advanced waste water treatment system. This program is vitally important in protecting our ground and surface waters.”
Learn more at cleanwatercash.org.