Will Also Include Funding to Reimburse Eligible Homeowners
By Hank Russell
A bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay (D-Port Jefferson) that helps fund septic system upgrades for homeowners has been signed into law.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $30 million investment in the State’s Septic System Replacement Fund, which now increases the state reimbursement amount from $10,000 to $25,000 for eligible homeowners.
Kassay introduced the bill on June 9. Two days later, the Ways and Means Committee passed the bill 34-0; the Rules Committee also passed the bill unanimously on June 12 by a 29-0 vote.
The law also defines “enhanced septic system project” as an onsite decentralized wastewater treatment system(s) that, at a minimum, is designed to reduce total nitrogen in treated effluent to 19 milligrams per liter or significantly and quantifiably reduces environmental and/or public health impacts associated with phosphorus or perpolyfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and associated compounds in effluent from a cesspool or septic system.
“Cesspools and traditional septic systems were designed to treat waste, not nitrogen,” said Assemblyman Tommy John Schiovani (D-Sag Harbor), one of the bill’s cosponsors. “Nitrogen in our ground and surface waters are fueling harmful algal blooms, brown tides, fish kills and negatively impacting human health.”
When combined with existing Town and County Septic Improvement Program awards, new innovative advanced septic systems can be installed at little to no cost to homeowners.
“On the East End, where the installation of innovative advanced onsite wastewater treatment systems often are more complex and more costly, this additional influx of state funding serves as an additional incentive for more homeowners to replace their outdated, polluting systems,” Schiovani said. “Our environment, public health, and economy will benefit tremendously.”