Starting January 22, 2019 Suffolk County residents may be eligible for combined State and County grants of up to $30,000 to install an Innovative and Alternative nitrogen removal septic system. The additional funding will make it less expensive for homeowners to voluntarily replace aging and failing cesspools with state-of-the-art technologies that significantly improve treatment, extend system life, and enhance safety.

Grant funding, of up to $30,000, will be provided toward the purchase and installation of Suffolk County Department of Health Services approved Innovative and Alternative nitrogen removal onsite wastewater treatment system (I/A OWTS) and leaching structure. All other costs, including, but not limited to, Engineering costs, costs above the authorized grant amount, irrigation repairs, electrical improvements unrelated to system installation or other improvements necessary for the installation are the responsibility of the property owner/applicant. Post-installation landscaping restoration is also the responsibility of the property owner/applicant.

Please review our documents page detailing the estimated vendor costs.

*Note: if necessary, “Gap funds" in the form of a low interest loan are available through CDCLI Funding Corporation to finance the difference between the grant to be provided by Suffolk County and the contract amount needed to install the replacement septic system. Learn more here.

 Preferential consideration will be given to properties in environmentally sensitive areas.

Please note:

Submission of an application does not guarantee an award of a grant. The County reserves the right to change the terms and conditions of the Septic Improvement Program at any time. This program is highly competitive and applications will be prioritized by area and other eligibility requirements and will also be based upon the availability of funding.

In addition:

1. Grant Awardees will be required to execute a grant agreement with the County of Suffolk.
2. Grant Awardees must permit Suffolk County Septic Improvement Program representatives the right to enter onto the property to perform any site assessments related to the processing of applications.
3. Information and documentation that is submitted with the application may be subject to independent verification by the County.

If you would like to speak to someone directly about the program and/or Grant Application, please call the Department of Health Services at 631-852-5811. Staff will be available to answer your questions Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm. You can also send an email to septicdemo@suffolkcountyny.gov.