Nassau Offering Grants To Help Replacing Aging Septic Systems

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — Nassau County has created a program to help homeowners replace damaged septic tanks on their property, which can help keep Long Island's drinking water clean.

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran announced that the county will soon be accepting applications from residents and small businesses for grants to replace their aging septic systems with new, state-of-the-art ones. The new systems reduce nitrogen, and help create a healthier environment.

“Water is one of our most precious resources, but nitrogen pollution from cesspools and septic systems has been identified as one of the largest causes of poor water quality and contributes to toxic algae blooms, which contaminate our water and leads to inhabitable conditions for marine life," Curran said. "I encourage eligible property owners to participate in SEPTIC to take advantage of this opportunity to update their septic systems, to help preserve our water quality and environment for generations to come.”

The SEPTIC program, made possible through a $2 million grant from the state's Environmental Facilities Corporation and the Department of Environmental Conservation, will provide funding to eligible recipients to replace a conventional or failing septic system with an innovative and alternative onsite wastewater treatment system. Nassau County is offering grants of half of the costs, up to $10,000, for homeowners or small businesses to install state-of-the-art, nitrogen-reducing septic systems.

Tens of thousands of homes and small businesses on the North Shore are currently served by cesspools and septic systems. Reversing degradation of water quality will depend on replacement of existing systems with new systems designed to remove nitrogen. When properly installed and maintained, these new septic systems provide a cost-effective and environmentally sound alternative to sewers. These systems significantly reduce nitrogen, biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids, before being discharged below grade to leaching structures. These new systems can provide greater performance reliability and reduce the number of pump-outs for homeowners that currently pump out their wastewater systems more than once per year, as well improve property values and reduce the risks of disease.

“These grants ... are critical to improving water quality and protecting public health by providing support to homeowners replacing aging septic systems," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "In partnership with Nassau County, Long Island homeowners in one of New York’s most vulnerable watersheds will be able to update outdated infrastructure and help prevent water pollution, and I applaud County Executive Curran and her team for advancing this important program.”

In order to qualify for the grant, certain criteria have to be met:

• Residences must be single family, owner-occupied and a property owner’s primary residence.
• The residence/small business must be served by a septic system or cesspool and not connected to a sewer system or located within a proposed sewer district.
• Grant recipients may not be a current employee of Nassau County, an elected official of the State of New York or any political subdivision therein, or a party officer.
• Property does not have any outstanding or open real property tax liens.
• There must be a valid certificate of occupancy or equivalent.
• Income verification.

Qualifying residents can contact SepticReplace@nassaucountyny.gov or call 516-364-5861 for more information and instructions on how to apply. Beginning May 3, applications can be filled out online here.