Overview

The Septic System Replacement Fund Program provides a source of funding for the replacement of cesspools or septic systems for residents within the boundaries of the Long Island Sound watershed. The program seeks to reduce the environmental and public health impacts associated with the discharge of effluent from cesspools and septic systems to groundwater. New septic systems have the advantage of nitrogen removal capabilities, which has historically been a major pollutant in the Long Island Sound, leading to harmful algal blooms, hypoxic zones, water acidification, and habitat degradation. Using new technology that can reduce nitrogen input could significantly improve water quality in the Sound. This project supports the Long Island Sound's Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan to protect and restore Long Island Sound. 

How is it funded?

The Septic System Replacement Fund Program is supported by EPA Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to the Interstate Environmental Commission. The total available funding through this program is $7,560,016, or $3,780,008 per county. Eligible homeowners and small business owners may be reimbursed up to $10,000 of eligible funds towards the installation of enhanced technologies. This program may be combined with existing programs, including county and town funding and the New York State Septic System Replacement Program, resulting in reimbursements totaling $20,000 or more. 

Program Outcome

In both Nassau and Suffolk County, conventional cesspools and septic systems have been identified as the primary source of nitrogen pollution in the Long Island Sound. Conventional systems release an average of 40 pounds of nitrogen per household, per year into surface and groundwater. Groundwater supplies 100% of the drinking water in Long Island, and old/failing septic systems deplete the quality of this essential resource. New septic systems, also known as Innovative and Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (IA OWTS), have the capacity to reduce the amount of nitrogen entering surface water and groundwater. Excessive nitrogen in coastal waters leads to a multitude of environmental problems, including hypoxia (low dissolved oxygen) coastal acidification (specifically in LIS embayments and near-shore waters), harmful algal blooms, eutrophication, and habitat degradation and loss. Decreased water quality and habitat degradation has economic implications, as fish kills and reduced shellfishing capacity impacts regional recreational and commercial fishing industry. The loss of habitats like wetlands leads to diminished coastal resiliency for neighborhoods in the face of storm events. 

Septic system replacements will significantly improve water quality in the Long Island Sound watershed. By reducing nitrogen loading, this program will reap benefits to the public health, ecological health, and economic prosperity of Long Island Sound and the residents that live in its watershed and rely on it as a resource. 

Eligibility

In order to qualify, Suffolk or Nassau County residents must live within the boundaries of drawn in orange (see map below) and have septic systems or cesspools that are in failure or are reasonably likely to fail. Assistance will be based on the program criteria, the property's location in relation to a waterbody, the condition of the current cesspool or septic system, and the current system's impact on groundwater. Replacements must comply with the conditions of local permitting jurisdictions.

Want to learn more or determine your eligibility? Click on the links below:

For Homeowners and Small Business Owners in Nassau County, click here.

For Homeowners and Small Business Owners in Suffolk County, click here.