Funding From Suffolk County Water Quality Protection And Restoration Program To Support Local Septic Awareness Outreach Program

Concerned Citizens of Montauk (CCOM), Group for the East End (G4EE), and Citizens Campaign for the Environment are teaming up to raise public awareness about the need for innovative alternative septic systems.

“Our aging, antiquated and inefficient septic systems are posing an environmental and public health crisis not only in Montauk, but all across Long Island,” Laura Tooman, President of Concerned Citizens of Montauk, noted. “A highly targeted, consistent regional campaign is needed to educate and engage home and business owners to become part of the remedy.”

Through $112,000 of funding provided by the Suffolk County Water Quality Protection and Restoration Program, which is administered by the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning, the trio of East End-based organizations will create and spearhead a regional septic awareness outreach program. The organizations’ mission is to “raise public and governmental awareness about the degradation of the County’s ground and surface waters, the need for innovative alternative septic systems, and the various funding opportunities available for upgrading and installing new, innovative systems, which have additional nitrogen removal capabilities.”

“The replacement of outdated and poorly functioning East End septic systems is critical to the future protection of our region’s drinking water and the health of our local bays and harbors,” Bob DeLuca, President of Group for the East End, stressed. “Given the size of this challenge, we are thankful for the County’s support and thrilled to be working in collaboration with such dedicated partners to educate the public about the many options that can help residents pay for the transition to new clean water technology.”

Pollution from septic systems is impacting our ground and surfaces waters, resulting in various brown, rust, red, and mahagony tides, the death of local aquatic life, and cyanobacteria blooms throughout Suffolk County and Long Island.

“We are thrilled to be working with Suffolk County and our environmental partners to conduct a comprehensive Septic Education and Awareness Program. Public education and support for reducing nitrogen is a critical component to winning the battle to save our drinking and coastal waters,” Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, said. “Solutions to address the daunting challenge of excessive nitrogen which is causing toxic tides in our lakes, bays and estuaries requires public engagement. Upgrading antiquated septic systems will help and now many homeowners are eligible for grant funds to help offset the costs of a new system. This program is good for the public and good for our water.”

“I am proud to be able to support this important new partnership. The partnership promises to advance the goal of reducing the nitrogen pollution that is impacting our bays, creeks and harbors, through critically important outreach and education,” Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming added. “The three organizations involved are well known champions of the natural resources of our region, and their joint participation in the effort will ensure that the goal of nitrogen reduction will be met in a timely and effective way.”