Suffolk County Executive Bellone Announces First Homeowner Installation On North Fork Of Advanced Wastewater Treatment System
Suffolk County, NY - October 27, 2017 - Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today announced the first installation of an advanced septic system on the North Fork as part of the County’s first-in-the-state Septic Improvement Program. The installation of the system on Westview Drive in Mattituck will occur today and is the third overall under the grant program, following installations in the communities of Flanders and Water Mill. Additional installations are scheduled today, Friday, October 27 in Remsenberg, and next Tuesday, October 31 in East Moriches.
“The County’s program is the first of its kind ever in the state, designed to make it affordable for homeowners to reduce the impact they are having on the environment,” said County Executive Bellone. “A new IA system can reduce total nitrogen discharge by up to 70 percent compared to a cesspool or septic system. We are committed to seeing thousands of these news systems installed on the North Fork, and throughout Suffolk County.”
According to the County Executive, more than 700 homeowners have registered for the program through the County’s website, while 187 have completed applications and 121 homeowners have been awarded grant certificates.
“Since the County began accepting applications on July 3, the response to the Septic Improvement Program has been overwhelming,” continued County Executive Bellone. “The success of the program to date is proof positive that the people of Suffolk County care deeply about water quality. They understand the importance of reversing decades of nitrogen pollution that has fouled our bays with harmful algal blooms and contributed to beach closures and fish kills. Through this innovative program, we are finally going to make progress in the battle against nitrogen pollution.”
“I want to thank County Executive Bellone and Suffolk County Planning for implementing this grant program, which makes the installation of these advanced systems much more attainable for the average homeowner.” said Legislator Al Krupski, whose district includes Mattituck. “Moving forward, we need to explore additional funding sources for grants and loans to ensure the long-term success of the Septic Improvement Program, a key component in the future health of our creeks, bays and estuaries.”
Funding for the grant program was made possible by Suffolk County residents who voted to approve a 2014 referendum, which authorized use of $2 million each year through 2021 for nitrogen reducing septic systems. The loan program is being administered by Community Development Corporation of Long Island Funding Corp, with financial support from Bridgehampton National Bank, which provided a both a grant to cover administrative expenses and a $1 million line of credit, and through financial commitments from several philanthropic foundations.
Suffolk County’s newly launched Reclaim Our Water Septic Improvement Program website provides homeowners with financial, regulatory, technical and infrastructure aspects of the Septic Improvement Program. This also includes a list of wastewater industry leaders with information pertaining to septic industry training that are in accordance to Suffolk County law and the recently updated Suffolk County Sanitary Code.
For more information on eligibility and system information or to apply online, visit ReclaimOurWater.info or contact septicdemo@suffolkcountyny.gov.