A day at the beach just got a little cleaner in Montauk. Last week, the installation of two new I/A (innovative alternative) low-nitrogen septic systems began at the Gin Beach and South Edison Beach comfort stations. Work is expected to be completed by Friday.
According to Mellissa McCarron, East Hampton Town's principal environmental analyst, wastewater from the Gin Beach location was likely taking less than a year to reach Long Island Sound. Down at South Edison, she said, a flush entered the Atlantic Ocean in under two years. Both stations produce, on average, close to 1,000 gallons per day of wastewater.
In 2019, the town's water quality technical advisory committee listed all the municipal sites that generate wastewater and ranked them for upgrades, based on their proximity to important water bodies, depth to groundwater, need for replacement, feasibility of installation, and age of the existing system. In an email, Ms. McCarron said the town has since been moving down the list.
"We are taking significant steps to defend our water quality," Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez said in a press release announcing the work. "Upgrading these septic systems is about protecting our environment and ensuring a healthy environment for future generations. Clean water is vital for our fishing, shellfishing, and recreational activities, and these upgrades will play a crucial role in preserving what makes our town so special."
The new systems are capable of removing 70 percent of nitrogen — a leading cause of algal blooms that come from human waste and fertilizer — from wastewater. "By upgrading the septic systems at our most used public facilities, we are prioritizing environmental health and enhancing the quality of life for all residents," Councilman David Lys said in the release.
The town has been leading by example with septic upgrades in Montauk, especially in the Lake Montauk watershed. Upgrades have already been completed at the West Lake and South Lake comfort stations.
The visual impact of nitrogen pollution is most visible in bays, harbors, lakes, and ponds, "as our harbors and bays are shallower and have less water circulation and are more directly impacted by land-based sources of nitrogen," wrote Ms. McCarron. "But ocean dead zones are largely considered to be enhanced by human activity, and the primary cause is from nutrient pollution originating from wastewater, stormwater, and agricultural runoff. So, I think regardless of which waterbody nutrient pollution is entering, it's important to do what we can to reduce or eliminate it."
The town offers up to $20,000 to residents who upgrade their septic systems through its Septic Incentive Program with the Suffolk County Department of Health Services. The Natural Resources Department has more information at 631-324-0496, or by email to [email protected].
