Program grants eligible property owners up to $20,000 for nitrogen reducing septic upgrades
Nassau County, NY -- On February 28th, the Nassau County Legislature passed a supplemental appropriation of a $2 million grant from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The grant funds the septic system replacement grant program for residents and small businesses allowing them to replace their conventional or failing cesspools/septic systems with environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art technology that reduces nitrogen -- Septic Environmental Program to Improve Cleanliness (SEPTIC).
This EFC funding has been matched with an additional $2 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan, which will bring the total SEPTIC grant to 50% of cost up to $20,000 per applicant.
“Water quality is not only important to our way of life here in Nassau, but it is also a critical component of our local economy,” said Richard Nicolello, Presiding Officer of the Nassau County Legislature. “Traditional cesspools and septic systems have a significant environmental and public health impact to groundwater, in one of New York’s most vulnerable watersheds. These new nitrogen-reducing septic systems are a great step forward to protecting our water."
Tens of thousands of homes and small businesses in Nassau County are currently served by cesspools and septic systems. Reversing degradation of water quality will depend on replacement of existing systems with new, individual Innovative and Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (I/A OWTS) designed to remove nitrogen. When properly designed, sited, installed, managed, and maintained, these new septic systems provide a cost-effective and environmentally sound alternative to sewers in areas that are outside designated sewer areas. These systems significantly reduce nitrogen, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids, before being discharged below grade to leaching structures.
I/A OWTS 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.
Eligibility requirements:
- Single family, two family, not-for profit organizations, and small businesses with an existing sanitary design flow less than or equal to 1,000 gallons per day (GPD) may be eligible for this program.
- The project must be a replacement of an existing septic system or cesspool with a new nitrogen reducing IA OWTS. The IA OWTS must have been installed after March 1, 2018 to be eligible for the SEPTIC grant funding.
- Have a valid certificate of occupancy or existing use issued by the pertinent city, town or village.
- Be served by an existing septic system or cesspool and not be connected to a public or private sewer or located within an existing or proposed sewer district. If the property is in an existing sewer district but is unable to connect due to site constraints documented by the Sewer District in question, the property may be eligible, provided the applicant meets all other eligibility requirements.
- Not have any outstanding or open real property tax liens.
For more Information, please visit the website at: https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/5191/Nassau-Septic or contact SepticReplace@nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 364-5861.