Reclaim Our Water - Innovative/Alternative Septic Technologies

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2015

Suffolk County, NY, with a population larger than 11 states and a region that derives its drinking water from the ground, must pay particular attention to the 360,000 septic systems/cesspools, accounting for 74% of the homes. Nitrogen pollution from septic systems has emerged as the most widespread and least effectively addressed pollutant impacting water quality. Due to harmful impact of nitrogen on ground and surface water quality as well as wetlands -- our protective natural buffers from storms, Suffolk County Executive Bellone declared nitrogen pollution Public Enemy #1 and announced the Reclaim Our Water Initiative. Suffolk County took significant steps to establish a list of approvable innovative onsite wastewater technologies available for homeowners. We began with identifying 209,000 priority parcels countywide through GIS mapping, conducted a four-state septic tour with stakeholders to understand nearby septic upgrade programs, engaged the public in an education campaign during national Septic Smart Week via the CrapShoot Film Contest, and selected four manufacturers of I/A systems to participate in the Septic Demonstration Program for 19 single family residences at no cost to participating homeowners selected by lottery. Suffolk County’s efforts have been described in NACo’s publication “Planning Resilient Water Systems” in July 2014.