This election, after several years of legislative wrangling and uncertainty, Suffolk County voters finally will get an opportunity to vote yes for the essential Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act. The New York League of Conservation Voters, after supporting this act for years, wholeheartedly applauds and supports this effort.
The Act, signed by Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine on July 8, will empower the county to replace old and leaky septic systems to reduce ground and surface water pollution. The act will appear on the ballot as Prop 2.
“Today is a great day for the people of Suffolk County,” said NYLCV President and CEO Julie Tighe, commenting on the July 8 signing. “After decades of enduring nitrogen-polluted ground and surface waters and with so many homes in need of a septic system replacement or a transition to sewers, voters will finally have the chance to address this public health crisis once and for all.”
“Every drop entering Long Island’s groundwater aquifers flows to either a drinking water well or to the nearest stream, lake, bay, or harbor,” The Nature Conservancy explained in an article. “In much of Suffolk County and northern Nassau County increasing nitrate levels in the aquifers and surface waters can be traced to cesspools and septic systems, with additional contributions from fertilizers and air pollution.”
An estimated 360,000 homes and 11,800 commercial properties in Suffolk County rely on conventional cesspools and septic systems.
It is critical that homes and businesses transition from conventional septic systems to the new advanced onsite wastewater treatment systems, known as innovative/alternate systems, or I/A systems for short.
If Prop 2 is passed, homeowners would be eligible to receive tax-free grants up to $25,000 to replace a polluting waste water system.
There’s substantial funds available through New York’s $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act, with $650 million earmarked statewide for water quality improvement and related infrastructure improvements.
“The really good news for Suffolk County is that the biggest tranche of money available from that is for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure,” Tighe said.
New York State has authorized Suffolk County to set up a county-wide wastewater management district. This would allow the county to consolidate 27 sewer districts into one district, allowing for more efficient management and more accurate testing. In addition, passage of Prop 2 would allow an increase of the county’s sales tax to fund a water-quality restoration fund. Generating $3.1 billion from 2024 to 2060, the funds could be used to protect and rehabilitate groundwater, construct new sewage treatment infrastructure and replace polluting septic systems.
We urge Suffolk County residents to vote Yes on Prop 2.