Two informational sessions will be offered on the South Fork this month to educate homeowners about county and town financial assistance programs and grants available to install new septic systems that reduce nitrogen levels in ground and surface waters.
The sessions, organized by Concerned Citizens of Montauk and Group for the East End along with Suffolk County and the towns of Southampton and East Hampton, will be offered at Southampton Town Hall on Monday, April 15, at 6 p.m. and at East Hampton Town Hall on Tuesday, April 30, at 6 p.m.
County and town officials, as well as septic system vendors, will be on hand to explain how the new nitrogen-reducing septic systems work, discuss the advantages of installing one, describe the financing available, and answer questions.
Suffolk County, through its Reclaim Our Water Septic Improvement Program, and the towns of Southampton and East Hampton each have designed financial assistance programs to aid in replacement of old cesspools and septic systems.
Nitrogen pollution from aging cesspools and septic systems has been identified as a major cause of ground and surface water degradation.
“Many property owners are eligible to receive financial assistance from both the County and the Town, allowing for the installation of an environmentally sound state-of-the art septic system at no cost,” said Concerned Citizens of Montauk President Laura Tooman in a statement. “We encourage anyone interested in these programs, whether in Montauk or elsewhere on the East End, to attend these sessions to learn about these important programs.”
Bob DeLuca, the president of Group for the East End, added, “Clean water is a critical part of our East End way of life, and economy, but our local waters are threatened by too much nitrogen coming in large part from inadequate sewage treatment.”
The events are free and open to the public.
27east on Apr 8, 2019