Twice a year, the Town of East Hampton awards money to homeowners and businesses to incentivize water quality improvements. For homeowners, this usually means upgrading an aging septic system. In 2024, however, the town also used money from its Water Quality Improvement Grant program for an eelgrass replenishment project.
On Dec. 16, applications opened to award $1 million to fund eligible projects for 2025. The application is available on the town’s website.
“The Town of East Hampton is committed to preserving our natural resources and improving water quality for future generations,” Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez said. “This grant program provides an incredible opportunity for property owners, organizations, and businesses to play a direct role in safeguarding the health of our ground and surface waters. I encourage all eligible applicants to take advantage of this funding to help protect our environment and preserve what makes East Hampton so special.”
In 2016, East Hampton voters approved a referendum to allow up to 20 percent of the community preservation fund to be used for projects that improve water quality. Long Island’s drinking water comes from an underground aquifer, which, along with our bays and ponds, can be impaired by untreated stormwater runoff and septic seepage.
“Water quality is vital to the well-being of our community and our economy,” said Councilman David Lys, the town board liaison to the water quality technical advisory committee, which judges the applications. “With this grant program, we’re empowering local initiatives that will have a lasting impact on the health of our waters.”
The application deadline is Feb. 17. After the applications are reviewed and rated, they will be presented to the town board for approval, before public hearings are held and the money awarded.
