Southampton to hold water quality forum

Southampton Town will hold a “water quality forum” Tuesday for homeowners and other residents to discuss the effects of failing residential septic systems on bays and streams.

Tuesday’s event — held from 7 to 9 p.m. at Hampton Bays High School (88 Argonne Rd., Hampton Bays) — will feature speakers well known in environmental studies, specifically in septic waste, including representatives from the Long Island Liquid Waste Association.

Also on hand will be Walter Hilbert from the county's health department to give an overview on Long Island's unique issues with septic systems.

Most homes on the East End are not hooked up to public sewer lines, but instead have personal septic systems, such as cesspools.

Many of them are old and failing, according to town officials, leading to pollution of local water bodies.

For more information, call the town office of energy and sustainability at 631-702-1753 or email lplouff@southampton townny.gov.