Suffolk County, NY - May 17, 2017 - “Today, Suffolk County has made history in our efforts to help solve the water quality crisis on Long Island. After decades of managing the decline of our water bodies, we are finally turning the tide by creating a program that will make it affordable for homeowners to replace their outdated septic systems and cesspools with some of the most advanced wastewater treatment systems that exist. I thank my colleagues in the County Legislature for their vote of confidence as we now move forward with the application process that will begin this summer.”
First-in-the-State Septic Improvement Program
- Homeowners to apply for a grant to cover the cost of an advanced wastewater treatment system. The grant, which is estimated in the amount of $10,000 or $11,000 would enable eligible homeowners to cover the costs of systems that cost between $14,500 and $17,500.
- In addition to the grant, homeowners could qualify to finance the remaining cost over 15 years at a low three percent fixed interest rate. The loan program will be administered by Community Development Corporation of Long Island Funding Corp., with financial support from Bridgehampton National Bank. Comparatively, the cost to replace and install a new cesspool or septic system with no capabilities to reduce nitrogen is estimated between $6,000-$8,000.
- The program is scheduled to launch July 1 through an application process, where an estimated 400 Suffolk County homeowners would be selected to receive the funding under the first two years of the program. Through the year 2021, the program will be funded with $2 million each year from the Suffolk County Assessment Stabilization Reserve Fund.