Death By A Thousand Cuts: Weak Septic Regulations Allow Nitrogen Pollution To Kill Our Waters

For Immediate Release
June 28, 2010  
  
Contacts:
Kevin McAllister, Peconic Baykeeper (631.653.4804)
Edward Romaine, Suffolk County Legislator (631.852.3200)
Skip Norsic, Long Island Liquid Waste Association (631.283.0604)

Death By A Thousand Cuts
Weak Septic Regulations Allow Nitrogen Pollution To Kill Our Waters

Nitrogen enriched groundwater from household cesspools (onsite wastewater treatment systems) is a substantial pollution problem.  Signs of excessive nitrogen loads – algal blooms, fish kills, and the explosive growth of invasive weeds already dominate many ponds and bays.

As testament to this plague, New York State is adding Great South, Moriches, Quantuck and Shinnecock bays to the “Impaired Waters” list due to reoccurring brown tide blooms. Elevated nitrogen levels from onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) are suspected as a primary source.  

Regretfully, this issue receives only minimal attention on the legislative front.  Nearby states, including Massachusetts and New Jersey are leading the way in wastewater management on both regulatory and technological fronts.  Suffolk County is clearly lagging behind. Meaningful septic code reforms at state, county and local levels are imperative and must begin without delay.

Suffolk County Legislator Edward Romaine said, “Our current wastewater regulations do not sufficiently protect surface waters and are in need of reform. We must implement the best available technologies to reduce nitrogen escaping from wastewater treatment systems and ensure the health of our bays and waterways.”

Baykeeper Kevin McAllister stated, “Nutrient pollution from the tens of thousands of cesspools in our region is a monumental threat to our waters, yet it has been largely ignored. Suffolk County regulations limiting the amount of nitrogen from OWTS that enters our groundwater to protect drinking water are clearly inadequate in protecting surface waters.  Maintaining superior water quality should be a priority.  We must act now to save our bays.”  

The Long Island Liquid Waste Association stated, “Peconic Baykeeper has brought into sharp focus a number of significant problems that logic tells us need to be addressed. Of course, this is only true if we, as Long Islanders, continue to expect our waters to provide a viable habitat for the animal and plant life that brought us here in the first place, and have sustained us ever since. Or, we can ignore the obvious, and allow the not-so-gradual degradation of our environment until it’s no longer recognizable as home. The choice is ours.”