Nesconset Homeowners Receive New Septic System From Suffolk County

By Linda Allocco

Photos by Linda Allocco (click on photos to enlarge)

County Executive Bellone -“This is a small part of what we need to do”On Thursday, August 20th, County Executive Steve Bellone, along with various Suffolk County officials and regional environmentalists, attended the installation of an advanced onsite septic system at the Nesconset home of one of Suffolk County’s Septic System Lottery winners.

In October of 2014, County Executive Bellone announced 19 Suffolk County homeowners would receive free installation, six month monitoring and five year maintenance of an advanced wastewater treatment system. According to Bellone, this pilot program is part of the County’s attempt to stem the high concentration of nitrogen that threatens Long Island’s drinking water.

Out of 137 applications, 53 homes met the requisite qualifications. In December of 2014, lawmakers at the Suffolk County Legislature pulled the names of 19 winners. Jim and Donna Minet of Nesconset were one of those chosen to participate in this program.

The Hydro-Action system installed at the Minet’s home uses an extended aeration activated sludge process wherein microorganisms which treat wastewater remain in the treatment process for more than 24 hours.

“The County wants to thank Jim and Donna for participating in a program that is vitally important for our County’s future,” Bellone stated.

Referring to the $383 million in funding Suffolk County has received from New York State and the federal government for proposed County sewer projects, Bellone explained that although the County hasn’t seen this kind of money in 40 years, there is much more work that needs to be done. 

“This is a small part of what we need to do,” Bellone said. “We won’t tolerate the decline of our water quality. This problem won’t be solved overnight and I expect future administrations to be just as committed to it.”

In Suffolk County, about 360,000 residents rely on septic systems. That is roughly seventy four percent of Suffolk households.

Bellone remarked, “Sewers aren’t enough. We need a compressive way to look at other means to figure this out, like this one,” referring to the Minet’s new advanced wastewater treatment system.

Attending the Thursday morning press conference, along with the County Executive and the Minet family, were Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy, Suffolk County Water Quality Czar Peter Scully, Suffolk County Director of Planning Sarah Lansdale, Suffolk County Director, Division of Environmental Quality, Health Services Walt Dawydiak, Suffolk County Public Works Special Projects Supervisor Boris Rukovets, Business Development Manager of Hydro Action Pete Sabo, Executive Director of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment Adrienne Esposito, marine scientist Chris Clapp from the Nature Conservancy, and member of the Suffolk County Council on Environmental Quality Mike Kaufman.

Extolling the program, Legislator Kennedy, referring to Long Island’s sole source aquifer, stated, “What we put in, we run the risk of drinking.”

Suffolk County Water Quality Czar Peter Scully “We are in it for the long haul”According to Suffolk County Water Quality Czar Peter Scully, “This is long journey where every step is an important step forward. We are in it for the long haul.”

Echoing the sentiment of everyone in attendance, homeowner Jim Minet expressed excitement about the program. “We are raising two children on Long Island and we are concerned about their future.” 

Although the size of the septic system surprised Minet, he concluded it is a small price to pay to help improve Long Island’s water quality.

According to Pete Sabo, Business Development Manager of Hydro Action, at the end of the pilot program, Suffolk County will be in a better position to provide guidelines and approve nitrogen-reducing systems for use in homes all across the county.

Comments

[Sandy T]

Most Long Islanders don't realize how close we are to mixing our waste with our drinking water... You don't know what you got until you lose it.