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One Year Later: Suffolk County's Water Quality Restoration Act & Implementation Plan
This year marked a major milestone for water quality in Suffolk County with the implementation of the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act. The Act establishes a County Wastewater Management District to unify county-operated sewer districts and a dedicated 1/8-cent sales tax to fund sewer projects and cesspool or septic upgrades.
Since taking effect on March 1, 2025, the tax has generated nearly $48 million and is projected to raise $2.6 billion over the next 35 years, creating a stable, long-term revenue stream to reverse decades of nitrogen pollution affecting groundwater, bays, and estuaries.
This edition of the Long Island Watershed Program newsletter reflects on the Water Quality Restoration Act’s first year and examines how the newly adopted Implementation Plan is advancing countywide water quality restoration.
Pursuant to the law, a 21-member Board of Trustees (BOT) representing municipalities, environmental organizations, labor, industry, and state and county officials was established. Chaired by Deputy County Executive Jennifer Juengst, the BOT is responsible for developing and adopting an Implementation Plan, a roadmap identifying and prioritizing projects eligible for the revenue from the 1/8% sales tax.
After months of analysis, public engagement, and technical review, the BOT approved its first Implementation Plan this past fall and upon review by the County Executive, it was tendered to the Suffolk County Legislature where it was approved unanimously. The Plan links the sales tax revenue directly to infrastructure investments that deliver measurable environmental benefits.
To be considered, projects had to meet three threshold questions:
- Is the project consistent with the Suffolk County Subwatersheds Wastewater Plan (SWP) or a local government plan?
- Does it qualify as a water quality improvement project as defined in the Charter Law?
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Does the project reduce nitrogen pollution?
Eligible projects were then scored and ranked. Sewer projects were evaluated based on multiple environmental factors and project readiness; specifically evaluating the level of design completion and funding status. Septic and Innovative and Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (I/A OWTS) projects were assessed for nitrogen benefit, cost-effectiveness, and practicability.
After deducting administrative costs (capped at 10%), fund revenues are split evenly: 50% for sewer projects and 50% for I/A OWTS projects. Projects are ranked by total score to guide funding decisions.
The Board reviewed 43 sewer and septic projects countywide, representing more than $3.5 billion in potential investment.
“With the voters’ approval of a new funding stream, the Romaine Administration is moving forward on all aspects of water quality protection including sewering new areas, expanding funding to make the installation of nitrogen-reducing clean water septic systems more affordable and looking at new technology to protect our most important natural asset – water,” Jennifer Juengst explained.
The top-ranked project, the $43.9 million Oakdale Sewer Expansion, scored 85 points out of the possible 100. Its high score reflects both its immediate environmental benefit, connecting homes to the Bergen Point Wastewater Treatment Plant, and its readiness, with nearly $40 million in federal funding already secured.
The Implementation Plan includes several other major sewer infrastructure projects, including the Huntington Station Gravity Collection System, which expands sewer capacity in a key commercial corridor to support economic growth and environmental protection; and the Port Jefferson Hub Expansion, which adds new collection lines and pump stations to support local wastewater needs.
The Plan also includes Clean Water septic projects (also known as I/A OWTS projects), focusing on replacing traditional cesspools with nitrogen-reducing systems in areas where sewering is not feasible, a critical component of county-wide nitrogen reduction efforts. To further this goal, the Implementation Plan recommends boosting county homeowner grants, aiming to install 5,000 systems annually, and establishing a recurring maintenance fund to encourage long-term maintenance practices by property owners.
Annual reporting, auditing of the Fund, and five-year updates required by state law and the County Charter ensure continued accountability.
County Wastewater Management District
Another key component of the Act, the Countywide Wastewater Management District (CWMD), took effect on January 1, 2026. The CWMD covers all areas within the county borders, except for Town or Village sewer districts or Village sewerage systems. All the existing County sewer districts are now consolidated, which serves approximately 25% of parcels through 24 sewage treatment plants, under a single structure designed to stabilize rates and support long-term infrastructure investment. The sewered and non-sewered parcels within the CWMD are segregated into two zones of assessment. Assessment Zone 1 is all parcels connected to a County-owned sewer system or treatment facility and Assessment Zone 2 consists of all parcels not connected to a county sewer system and those parcels connected to private treatment facilities.
“Suffolk County residents deserve stable and reliable wastewater treatment services,” Juengst stated. “This can be achieved through a single district where the expenses, maintenance and debt are shared across all users of county sewers and where a reliable source of funding grows over time to allow for non-sewered property owners to convert to Clean Water Septic Systems for their homes and businesses.”
With the Implementation Plan in place, Suffolk County is positioned for sustained progress in water quality restoration through infrastructure upgrades, septic replacements, and continued engagement with residents, businesses, and partners. This anniversary marks the transition from planning to action.
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