Governor Kathy Hochul was joined by local elected officials, environmental and labor leaders as she signed the Suffolk Water Quality Restoration Act on May 23. The legislation, sponsored by Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (D-Sag Harbor) and New York State Senator Monica Martinez (D-Brentwood), will allow Suffolk County to put forward a ballot referendum that would fund long-term investments in clean water systems and technology.
According to the governor’s office, this bill will make changes to the local revenue distribution for individual septic system and wastewater treatment projects. It will help address barriers to housing development and reduce nitrogen discharge from local septic systems, thereby preserving drinking water quality, mitigating harmful algae blooms, and protecting local ecosystems.
“Access to clean water is a basic need, and residents of Suffolk County deserve safe and reliable water infrastructure,” Hochul said. “I am committed to protecting the health of all New Yorkers, and this bill is a promise to future generations that we will do everything in our power to protect your well-being.”
Thiele said he hopes the voters pass the referendum once it comes up for a vote in November. “Suffolk County’s environment and economy have been hampered for decades by a relentless trend of declining water quality,” he said. “Over thirty years ago, New York enacted the nationally recognized Central Pine Barrens Preservation Act protecting more than 100,000 acres of land to preserve our sole source aquifer. Yet, the legacy of overdevelopment still left us with continuing risks to our water resources. Today, with the enactment of the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act, we bookend those efforts to protect water quality first begun with the Pine Barrens Act. This legislation will provide a recurring local source of funding to upgrade septic systems and sewage treatment from Montauk to Babylon.”
“Today’s bill signing is a shining example of government working together for the people, who will now have their chance to vote for this important initiative,” Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine added.
Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer, who is also chairman of the Suffolk County Supervisors Association, said the bipartisan partnership between Hochul and Romaine “is to be commended” and urged town residents to support the referendum when it comes up for a vote in November.
There was a shoe of bipartisanship at the county level. Suffolk County Legislature’s Minority Leader, Jason Richberg (D-Wyandanch), said, “After many months of delays, we have finally reached the point where Suffolk County voters will have their voices heard on water quality. Long Island loves our beaches and parks, and this funding would transform our wastewater management infrastructure and allow us to enjoy them and ensure access for all for generations to come.”
Suffolk County Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) added, “I am proud to be part of this historic legislation which will enable Suffolk County to protect its drinking and surface waters for generations to come. I look forward to working with stakeholders to ensure this referendum will be approved overwhelmingly by the voters in November.”
Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment’s executive director, Adrienne Esposito called the legislation “a giant leap forward, “
“It is truly exciting when you witness the culmination of good science, good leadership and good government come together to provide for the necessity of clean water,” Esposito said. “For over a decade, environmental and labor leaders have educated and advocated for a reliable funding stream to replace polluting septic systems and upgrade and expand sewer infrastructure. This historic legislation creates the essential path needed for Suffolk residents to vote on our clean water future.”