Suffolk must fast-track state septic replacement program

If you’ve ever had a beach day cancelled because of “elevated bacteria levels,” or hesitated before drinking a glass of Long Island tap water, you know the sinking feeling of worrying about water quality.

Clean drinking water is an undeniable need and right. Long Islanders pay dearly to ensure the water we consume is safe. Now that government is stepping up, it must make sure residents understand how to put the money to good use. 

Last week, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $30 million for the next round of the statewide Septic System Replacement Fund Program, with $20 million dedicated to Suffolk County alone. The state reimbursement rate for installation of enhanced septic systems is 75%, or up to $25,000. Suffolk provides an additional $10,000, which means most property owners can install an enhanced septic system for almost no cost. The state program is also available in Nassau County, which provides up to $20,000 for each property owner.

This is a big deal for clean water, and will help protect our aquifers and waterbodies.

The science behind what causes algal blooms that kill marine life, close beaches every summer and pollute our drinking water is clear — crumbling septic tanks and cesspools leak into the water table. And Long Island has a huge problem because there are about 360,000 old waste systems in Suffolk alone, and about 35,000 on the North Shore of Nassau.

The money is there for people to upgrade residential and business septic tanks and cesspools, and there's already a waiting list in Suffolk.

So, what’s the catch?

Suffolk must streamline the application process and ensure there are no holdups. The state law permits Suffolk to hire staff to administer the fund, a key component. The county should take full advantage of that provision.

Public education campaigns about government programs aren’t tricky — they require money and people. Suffolk already has a website with lots of good information and resources. There are tabs for approved vendors, a map of priority areas, and a general ‘understanding the process’ section. Property owners can even apply online.

The next step is for Suffolk to aggressively market the reimbursement through social media, mailings and community meetings. But the county needs to do more than just shout, "Hey! Replace your old septic tank for almost nothing!" Officials need to create a system to walk property owners through the process from start to finish. That includes having staff to help people complete the application.

Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine has made sewer and waste upgrades a priority of his administration. Now that the county has even more money, he can’t let red tape or application bottlenecks slow the progress of improving Suffolk’s water quality for generations to come.

This is not only about cesspools and septic tanks — it’s about clean water. If you’re a property owner with an old waste disposal unit, don’t let this money go down the drain.