Did you know that effective July 1, 2019, Suffolk County has
put in place new regulations that affect our home septic and cesspool
systems? These Sanitary Code changes are
part of a broad, multi-pronged effort to combat nitrogen pollution of
groundwater and local bays.
We all support the need to have clean water, and reduce
nitrogen pollution from our septic and cesspool systems, and that changes are
necessary. It’s therefore most important,
that we, homeowners, know what is happening, when and how it will affect our
homes - today and in the future, and the potential cost involved.
Here are the highlights of the recent County Health
Department announcement:
· Cesspools, outlawed in new construction
since 1973, will no longer be allowed as replacements for old cesspools.
· Homeowners are not required to
replace existing systems, but voluntary replacements must meet 1973 standards
for new systems.
· For the first time, replacement of
existing cesspools or septic systems will require filing of registrations with
the health department.
75% of Suffolk County does not have sewers. Approximately
360,000 homes have residential onsite sewage disposal systems - about 250,000
are cesspools, which discharge untreated waste, that can contaminate surface
and groundwater and contribute to harmful algal blooms. The current changes
that became effective July 1, do not require property owners to upgrade or
replace functioning systems. The new
requirements will come into play when an existing system must be replaced.
Homeowners may also voluntarily choose to upgrade their
system to an “innovative alternative onsite wastewater treatment system
(IA/OWTS) for which incentives are available from the county.
Want to know more? Join us at the SoutholdVOICE
*Annual Meeting, at 9:30 am, Saturday morning, August 10, 2019, at the American
Legion Hall in Southold. Our program will include an informative panel
discussion with our County Legislator, Al Krupski and Health Department
official, Joyce Novak, PHD who will fill us in on the County’s Septic
Improvement Program, tell us how it will affect you as a homeowner, and answer
your questions. Hope you will join us!
*SoutholdVOICE is a not-for profit, 501(c)(3) organization,
whose mission is to provide a forum to promote awareness of issues affecting
shoreline and marine resource, and proactively advocate balance between
regulatory issues and property rights for the benefit of our community.
Source: Suffolk Health Officials Outline Changes
to Wasterwater Practices to Take Effect on July 1, 2019,” Suffolk County
News, May 20, 2019, www.suffolkcountyny.org
No comments:
Post a Comment