Financial Assistance Available To Replace Aging Septic Systems

EAST HAMPTON, NY — Financial assistance programs are available to residents who want to replace their septic systems.

To that end, Concerned Citizens of Montauk announced a partnership with Group for the East End, Suffolk County, and the Towns of Southampton and East Hampton to host two public information sessions on the programs, which were designed to encourage installation of new septic systems that reduce nitrogen levels in ground and surface waters, a release said.

The first session will be held Monday, April 15 at 6 p.m. at Southampton Town Hall, located at 116 Hampton Rd. in Southampton.

The second session will be held at East Hampton Town Hall, located at 159 Pantigo Rd. in East Hampton, on Tuesday, April 30 at 6 p.m.

Nitrogen pollution from aging and inefficient cesspools and septic systems are a major cause of ground and surface water degradation, CCOM said. The existing traditional systems were not designed to remove nitrogen, and several new technology options are now available for use and have been demonstrated to remove excess nitrogen, the release added.

Widespread installation and utilization of these innovation alternative, or IA, systems would improve water quality across East End, CCOM said.

Suffolk County, through its Reclaim Our Water Septic Improvement Program, and the Towns of Southampton and East Hampton each have designed financial assistance programs to aid in replacement of aging cesspools and septic systems.

At the April meetings, representatives from Suffolk County and both Southampton and East Hampton Towns will be present to discuss program eligibility requirements, implementation procedures, technical considerations, and estimated costs with residents. Those in attendance will have an opportunity to ask questions of county and town representatives and the county-approved I/A septic vendors.

“Many property owners are eligible to receive financial assistance from both the county and the town, allowing for the installation of an environmentally sound state-of-the art septic system at no cost," said Laura Tooman, CCOM president. "We encourage anyone interested in these programs, whether in Montauk or elsewhere on the East End, to attend these sessions to learn about these important programs.”

Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman said there is no doubt that nitrogen from residential septic systems is degrading the water quality of bays and wetlands. "These town and county rebate programs provide the necessary funding to install nitrogen removing systems to help restore our water quality," he said.

“Replacing traditional septic systems with those that reduce emissions of nitrogen into the environment will play a key role in eliminating threats to our ground and surface waters — the source of our drinking water and an important ecosystem that supports fishing and other recreation. The town and county programs are designed to make it easier for our residents to replace their antiquated systems,” said East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc.

And, added Bob Deluca, President of Group for the East End: “Clean water is a critical part of our East End way of life, and economy, but our local waters are threatened by too much nitrogen coming in large part from inadequate sewage treatment. Thankfully, with support from the Community Preservation Fund and Suffolk County’s Reclaim Our Water Program, South Fork homeowners can now play a direct role in cleaning up our precious waters by receiving the funding they need to upgrade their septic systems with new nitrogen-reducing technology.”