Big Changes Ahead for Suffolk County’s Sewer Systems

In Suffolk County, around 70% of homes and businesses still depend on cesspools for waste disposal. However, officials are gearing up to replace millions of these with connections to local sewer systems.

County executive Ed Romain has announced an ambitious $3.8 million initiative set to begin this year to upgrade the sewer infrastructure.

He mentioned, “We are addressing this crisis with a system designed not just to divert wastewater into the ocean and sound but also to ensure its safe disposal and protect our aquifer.” It’s a critical step, really.

Some Republicans argue that cesspools and septic tanks aren’t as outdated as people think, while they point out the risks they pose to Long Islanders. If waste lingers underground for extended periods, it can leach into the soil and potentially contaminate the aquifer that supplies drinking water. This contamination could endanger the health and safety of the entire region.

But there’s no concrete timeline for the new system, and it may take quite a while to finish. Romain is hopeful that both state and federal governments will contribute to this project.

An issue on the table is Suffolk County’s exclusion from the $4.2 billion allocated for clean water and air through the Green Job Environmental Bond Law, which voters endorsed in 2022 to fund projects like this.

Romain pointed out that the county hasn’t received any funding from the state stemming from former President Joe Biden’s $1 trillion infrastructure plan either.

He remarked, “If we have to, we will do this ourselves,” reflecting some frustration over the potential lack of state or federal support.

Adding to the disappointment, he said, “It’s a shame that the state would overlook Suffolk County, especially for environmental initiatives.” There hasn’t been a response from Governor Kathy Hochul’s office yet.