Applaud Septic System Rebates, New Standards

East Hampton Town’s proposal to institute new standards for wastewater treatment — requiring the installation of new technology systems that remove much of the nitrogen that seeps into and pollutes ground and surface waters — and a proposed rebate program that would help residents pay to switch out old systems got widespread approval at a public hearing before the town board last week.

Under the proposed law, installation of one of the new nitrogen-reducing systems would be required for new construction, when undertaking a substantial expansion, when an existing system fails and needs replacing, and when commercial sites require new site plan review.

After a pilot program to test various septic waste systems that use the new technology, the Suffolk Health Department has approved five different systems for use; approval of others will be forthcoming after more testing is completed.

A county website, ReclaimOurWater.info, has details about the newly approved systems, and more. Training in their installation and maintenance is being offered to local contractors.

Under East Hampton’s proposed rebate program, property owners in designated water quality improvement districts, and those who meet certain income criteria, would be eligible for rebates that could cover the entire cost of installing a new system, up to $16,000, while others could receive 75 percent of the cost.

The new low-nitrogen systems cost an estimated $14,500 to $17,500, compared to the approximately $8,000 cost of a conventional system.

A county rebate and loan program with the same goals of having property owners replace wastewater systems with new technology will be launched on July 1, providing grants of up to $11,000 and low-cost loans of up to $10,000. The town is coordinating its efforts with the county, and residents could apply to both programs to get the maximum benefit of up to the full cost of a new system.

Speakers at the hearing gave the town board a thumbs-up for shifting toward alternatives to the outdated septic systems now in use.

“I want to applaud the town for showing great leadership,” said Kevin McAllister of Defend H2O. Addressing threats to water quality from septic waste “will take a long time,” he said, “but this is an excellent start.”

“If we do nothing, we are continuing to threaten the human, environmental, and economic health of the town,” Laura Tooman, the executive director of Concerned Citizens of Montauk, wrote in a statement presented by Bill Akin of Montauk.

While there will be a learning process, “this is not rocket science; it really isn’t,” said Kevin McDonald of the Nature Conservancy. Low-nitrogen systems have been successfully installed in numerous nearby states, he said. Judging by recent fish kills and algal blooms, “it’s really, really clear that we have a problem,” he said.

Once the new law and rebate program is in place, said Jeffrey Freireich, the executive director of the East Hampton Business Alliance, education will be key. The public should be fully informed, he said, about the requirements and about the new systems — their installation cost, maintenance costs, and limitations.

In a press release earlier this month, the East Hampton Environmental Coalition, comprising 26 organizations, said that “the Town of East Hampton has acknowledged the scientifically proven link between our declining ground and surface water quality and our antiquated, failing cesspools and septic systems. Harmful algal blooms, closed shellfishing areas and beaches, and polluted drinking water can no longer remain the norm.”

Following voters’ approval last fall of an amendment allowing up to 20 percent of the community preservation fund to be spent on clean water initiatives, the coalition said, the town has “delivered and is now on the cusp of providing a substantial public investment in critical water quality infrastructure.”

A changeover to more effective waste treatment “will have a major impact,” on the health of bays, ponds, and groundwater, said Sara Davison, the executive director of Friends of Georgica Pond. Her organization will encourage all pond-front landowners to participate, she said.

Several speakers at last week’s hearing had suggestions and questions about aspects of the laws, while supporting them in general.

Peter Mendelman spoke on behalf of his family, which owns several marinas, their business, Seacoast Enterprises, and a trade group, the Association of Marine Industries. To ensure the money available for rebates do the most good, he said, rebates should be focused on properties that potentially do the most harm to water quality, such as houses or businesses that are occupied or frequented year round, versus those that are used only seasonally.

David Buda, a Springs resident, urged a close look at the maps of targeted areas, questioning why some locales near the shore were omitted.

Both Mr. Freireich and Britton Bistrian, an Amagansett planning consultant who took the training being offered and became a certified installer of the new low-nitrogen waste systems, urged the board to discuss considerations for those midway through the construction approval process, to enable them to proceed under the existing codes.

Mr. Cantwell said at the hearing that the public participation and comments were welcome and appreciated by the board, “as we move forward on this really exciting and cutting-edge program.”

Board members agreed this week to have the town’s Natural Resources Department and other staff look into the issues raised, and to discuss the draft laws again at a work session in July.