Construction Kicks Off On New Westhampton Beach Sewer Project

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — A new day dawned in Westhampton Beach Friday as, after more than six years of planning, engineering, and negotiation, a ceremony was held to mark the commencement of construction on a sewer project in the village that's been a far-off dream for years.

"What a great way to celebrate Earth Day week!" Westhampton Beach Village Mayor Maria Moore said. "We are one step closer to improving the quality of our waterways and protecting the environment."

As a result of working collaboratively with Suffolk County, the village will be able to connect its collection and conveyance system to Suffolk County’s wastewater treatment plant, located at Frances S. Gabreski Airport, furthering the state’s goal of shared services, Moore added.

"This necessary infrastructure project will eliminate 5,000 pounds of nitrogen each year from our bay, representing a 24 percent reduction," Moore said. "Having the sewer system in place will also alleviate some of the restrictions on our downtown, allowing for occupancy of apartments above our Main Street and expanded dining opportunities."

Moore said support and funding from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation and the Southampton Town Community Preservation Fund were critical in seeing the plans unfold.

The project has a slated completion date of September, 2022. Moore said the expectation is that village roads are not expected to be closed, only narrowed, during construction, but will still allow for two-way traffic.

The cost to build the collection and conveyance system is $11,164,000, Moore said. The estimated cost to construct the modifications at the county’s wastewater treatment plant, located at Gabreski Airport, is $4,400,000.

To date, she said the village has been awarded a grant from the NYS DEC in 2019 for $5 million; a grant from the NYS Environmental Facilities Corp in 2020 for $1,784,500; and a grant from the Southampton Town Community Preservation Fund in 2020 for $4 million.

The contractors for the collection and conveyance system are Novelli Contracting and Hinck Electrical Contractor, she said.

"The village has been working from the start with the talented wastewater engineering team at H2M Architects + Engineers who created the design for the system and guided us through the process," Moore said.

In addition, Moore said: "With all the environmental improvement features incorporated into in our recently completed Main Street Reconstruction Project, including new drainage, hydrodynamic separators, permeable pavers, and LED lighting, we've made great progress in protecting the quality of our environment and ensuring the economic vitality of our Main Street."

A 2017 study by Professor Christopher J. Gobler, Ph.D., of Stony Brook University's School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, confirmed that the new sewer system would mean a reduction of 5,000 lb. of nitrogen from Moniebogue Bay, or 24 percent yearly, the mayor said.

Present at Friday's event were the Westhampton Beach Village board of trustees, New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele, Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman, Southampton Town Councilman John Bouvier, Ed Moltzen, director of Suffolk County's shared services, Suffolk County Department of Public Works Commissioner Joseph Brown, and members of Southampton Town's community preservation fund committee, among others.

"The beginning of construction of the Westhampton Beach sewer system is a major step forward in improving the water quality of the bay and the economy of the downtown area," Schneiderman said. "Because of the sewer's ability to remove nitrogen from wastewater, we will have cleaner water in Quantuck Bay. Having sewers will also allow the county health department to permit more wet uses like restaurants and cafés that will add more vibrancy to downtown Westhampton Beach."

Kevin McAllister, founder and president of Defend H20, has advocated for years for the need for a sewer system in Westhampton Beach. "Nitrogen pollution from antiquated septic systems is a serious and mounting threat to coastal water quality," he said. "Downtown Westhampton Beach, with its close proximity to the bay, and where cesspools are immersed in rising groundwater, is a direct and significant pollution source to Moniebogue Bay. Recognizing what it would mean for both water quality and community lifestyle, I’ve been a vocal supporter of a downtown sewer district. Congratulations to Village and Suffolk County officials for making this happen."