$2.3 Million Grant To Improve Water Quality Of North Shore Beach

OYSTER BAY, NY - Some water quality improvements are in the works for one North Shore Beach, according to Oyster Bay officials. Supervisor Joseph Saladino announced Tuesday that Oyster Bay has been awarded $2,287,710 in competitive grant funds from New York State’s Water Quality Improvement Program. The funds will allow Oyster Bay to complete a water quality improvement project at Harry Tappen Beach in Glenwood Landing, officials said.

“My administration is committed to protecting our environment, water quality, and our shoreline. Unfortunately, too many of Long Island’s North Shore septic systems and cesspools are outdated," Saladino said.

This project will replace, expand, and upgrade the existing on-site sewage treatment system at Harry Tappen Beach, and will subsequently reduce and minimize beach closures by the order of the Nassau County Department of Health due to bacteriological pollution, according to Oyster Bay officials. The new system will include new pump stations, septic tank filtration units, and a new leaching field.

"Without investment into septic revitalization, dilapidated septic systems have a dramatic and adverse impact on aquatic life in the Long Island Sound, and a potentially devastating effect on the local economy, including fishermen and shell-fishermen. A project of this nature has long been sought by this community, and I am excited to say that in 2020 this project will commence!”

According to Oyster Bay officials, this water quality improvement project will immediately benefit Harry Tappen Beach, as well as Hempstead Harbor and the Long Island Sound, upon completion. As part of the project scope, new infrastructure from this project will contribute to the protection and improvement of water quality that recharges the local potable water source aquifer system.

These improvements will also decrease the potential for any bacteriological pollution in Hempstead Harbor through the installation of new pump stations, septic tank filtration units, and a new leaching field, they said. Additionally, the new septic system will treat an increased capacity of 20,000 gallons per day.