Town of Shelter Island, Suffolk County Partner to Propose Clean Water Plan

The Town of Shelter Island and Suffolk County have partnered to propose an agreement to help protect and improve the water quality in the Peconic Estuary, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced on Thursday.

The proposed plan would replace the current on-site sanitary systems at the Shelter Island’s Town Legion Hall and Youth Center with an advanced nitrogen-reducing wastewater treatment system.

“As residents of an island in the middle of the Peconic Estuary, Shelter Islanders are acutely aware of the severe nitrogen pollution crisis on the East End,” Shelter Island Town Supervisor Jim Dougherty said. “The time to act is now and we deeply appreciate Suffolk County’s partnership with us in installing this innovative septic system which sharply reduces nitrogen loading.”

Nitrogen from the ground gets into the septic systems and cesspools and can ultimately impact local surface waters.

Elevated levels of nitrogen contribute to conditions conducive to the emergence of harmful algal blooms in Suffolk County waterways such as the Peconic Estuary, which surrounds Shelter Island.

In addition to mitigating nitrogen pollution in the estuary, the proposed septic upgrade project will be demonstrating the possibility of using alternative on-site sanitary disposal systems in other locations on Shelter Island and throughout Suffolk County.

Suffolk County will contribute up to $49,500 towards the project through existing funds in the Suffolk County Water Quality Protection and Restoration Program.

The program’s award allows the Town of Shelter Island to be reimbursed for half of the project’s cost.

A resolution allowing Suffolk County to enter into this agreement will be voted on by the Suffolk County Legislature on September 9.

Photo: Google Maps