Free Septic Systems

Year-round, unsewered homeowners in Suffolk County are eligible for a lottery to participate in an alternative wastewater treatment pilot program. The county will select 19 winners, who will get a new system installed at no cost, along with five years of free maintenance.

Nitrogen leaking from aging septic systems is seen as contributing to the deteriorated quality of some town waterways, helping to cause algal blooms that can kill marine life.

East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell said in a statement that “we need to encourage better technology to remove nitrogen that makes its way into our surface water and groundwater. I would love to see a demonstration project here in East Hampton.”

East Hampton Village Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. also delivered prepared remarks on the county’s initiative. “Septic systems have been the target and likely contributor to many of our groundwater contamination issues,” he said, “and I am pleased the county is moving ahead and seeking participation from our homeowners on this important public health matter.”

An application to participate in the lottery can be downloaded at suffolkcountyny.gov/departments/PublicWorks/SepticDemonstrationProgram.aspx. The deadline to apply is Nov. 14 at 4:30 p.m.