Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) announced that the final 2014-15 New York State Budget, includes $3 million to address nitrogen and pathogen water quality issues in Suffolk County.

Up to $3 million Funding would be directed to Suffolk County to develop and implement a pilot research and development program to identify cost effective methods to address nitrogen and pathogen loadings from septic systems and cesspools. The Town of Southampton and SUNY Stony Brook could receive a portion of said allocated funds.

Assemblyman Thiele stated, “Here on the East End, our surface, ground, and drinking water resources are continually threatened by pollution. Contaminants from ineffective sanitary septic systems-such as excess nutrients and bacteria can cause excessive algae growth, close bathing beaches and shellfishing areas, harm aquatic life, and contaminate drinking water. Replacing out-dated sanitary septic systems, especially in nutrient sensitive areas and areas with high groundwater tables, can minimize nutrient loadings to groundwater and groundwater-fed surface waters. While there are alternative septic systems currently on the market which operate with a higher level of pollutant removal efficiency, they however, are cost prohibitive.”

“I commend Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst for moving this effort forward and working with Suffolk County and the Governor’s office to advance this initiative.”

Thiele, a member of the Assembly’s Environmental Conservation Committee, has supported similar efforts, including the passage of his legislation in 2012 which created watershed protection improvement districts. Towns are now able to designate watershed protection improvement districts and raise funds to install and maintain such things as septic system upgrades, alternative septic systems, and other stormwater treatment practices.