Nitrogen Reducing Septic Systems
Certified Maintenance Providers for Suffolk County Approved I/A OWTS
Nitrogen Reducing Septic Systems (I/A OWTS) UPDATED AS OF JULY 2025
Nitrogen pollution from cesspools and septic systems has been identified as the largest single cause of degraded water quality contributing to beach closures, restrictions on shell fishing, toxic algae blooms, and massive fish kills. A conventional onsite septic system was never designed to remove nitrogen. The average residential septic system discharges approximately 40 pounds of nitrogen per year. For homeowners close to surface waters in Suffolk County nitrogen can rapidly reach surface waters where it contributes to the degradation of our marshes, bays, and beaches. Even inland, nitrogen from septic systems will eventually reach the groundwater and surface waters.
Thousands of parcels are currently served by polluting cesspools and septic systems, but will never connect to a sewer system. Reversing the degradation of water quality will depend on the replacement of existing systems with new, individual Innovative and Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (I/A OWTS). This is why the installation of a new nitrogen reducing septic system is important to the health and safety of communities in the Hamptons, Montauk and throughout the East End of Long Island.
For more information about nitrogen reducing septic systems, please contact us today. When you reach out, we can provide you with more information about the importance of a low nitrogen septic system. As well as how to get a low nitrogen septic system installed. We can also discuss the various grant and rebate programs, which you will find information on below. These grants and rebates make it affordable to install nitrogen reducing septic systems in your community.
GRANT AND REBATE PROGRAMS
Eligible applicants can apply to three different grant programs for a combined award of up to $50,000.00.
- Suffolk County- up to $20,000.00
- New York State-up to $25,000.00
- Town of East Hampton or Southampton-up to $25,000.00
SUFFOLK COUNTY/NEW YORK STATE
Suffolk County Septic Improvement Program:
Over the past several years, Suffolk County has assertively set the stage for the transition to the use of these new systems. To make the cost of I/A systems that remove nitrogen to protect water quality more affordable for homeowners, Suffolk County has developed the Septic Improvement Program. Under the Reclaim Our Water Septic Improvement Program, homeowners who decide to replace their cesspool or septic system with the new technologies will be eligible for a grant of up to $30,000 from Suffolk County and New York State to offset the cost of one of the new systems. In addition to the grant, homeowners can qualify to finance the remaining cost of the systems over 15 years at a low 3% fixed interest rate. The loan program will be administered by Community Development Corporation of Long Island Funding Corp, with financial support from Bridgehampton National Bank, in the amount $1 million and financial commitments from several philanthropic foundations.
Breakdown of Available Funding
- $15,000 base grant from Suffolk County AND $5,000 incentive for Low to Moderate Income
- Up to $25,000 grant from New York State (NEW AS OF JULY 2025)
Grant Eligibility Criteria:
In order for an application to be considered for a grant the following preliminary criteria must be met:
- The residence must be served by a septic system or cesspool and not connected to a sewer system or located within a proposed sewer district.
- New construction on vacant lots is not eligible.
- Property does not have any outstanding or open real property tax liens.
- There must be a valid certificate of occupancy (CO) or equivalent issued by the applicable town or village.
- Income verification (For Low to moderate Income Incentive)
TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON
Town of East Hampton’s Website:
Breakdown of Available Funding
- Up to $20,000 if your property is located within the Water Protection District or you qualify for affordable housing.
- Up to $15,000 if your property is outside of the Water Protection District.
TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON
Town of Southampton's Website:
Breakdown of Available Funding
- Base Rebate of up to $20,000
- Maximum rebate is $25,000.
- Low to Moderate Income Incentive of an additional $5,000, if approved
- The final rebate depends on your total eligible costs and other grants you may have received
- HUD Income Limits Documentation System
NITROGEN REDUCING WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS
HYDROACTION
Wastewater Works Inc. Distributor of Hydro-Action Industries Wastewater Treatment System
Hydro-Action is an onsite wastewater treatment unit manufacturer with over 25 years of industry experience. Founded in 1988 and relocated to Indiana in 2002, our technology utilizes an activated sludge treatment process, which constantly infuses oxygen to wastewater where aerobic bacteria metabolize the waste. Then it separates in a clarification chamber without the use of media filters, carbon additives, or expensive, high maintenance technologies. We offer our products in a three-tank combination as a single unit: pretreatment, aerobic treatment, and pump tank design as the “Set-N-Go” unit.
FUJI CLEAN
Advanced Wastewater Solutions Distributor of Fuji Clean USA Wastewater Treatment System
With proprietary process water continuous recirculation and exclusive Fuji Clean media specifically designed to facilitate the growth of nitrogen reducing bacteria, field testing in Suffolk County NY, Maryland, Virginia and Florida demonstrate that Fuji Clean CEN model systems deliver highest level nitrogen removal performance.
Lightweight, small footprint, one-tank systems are extremely maneuverable offering an ideal solution for tight, difficult sites. Highly energy efficient, easy to install, and with no moving parts inside tank, exceptionally easy to maintain, Fuji Clean technology is becoming the market leader in a growing number of nitrogen restricted regions.
Nitrogen Reducing Septic Systems on Long Island
What Are Nitrogen Reducing Septic Systems?
Nitrogen reducing septic systems are advanced onsite wastewater treatment systems designed to remove significantly more nitrogen from household wastewater than a conventional septic system or cesspool.
These systems are commonly referred to as Innovative/Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (I/A OWTS). They use additional biological treatment processes to reduce nitrogen before treated wastewater is discharged to the soil.
Nitrogen reduction is especially important on the East End of Long Island, where many homes rely on individual septic systems and cesspools. Nitrogen from wastewater can enter groundwater and eventually reach nearby bays, harbors, wetlands, and other surface waters. Suffolk County has developed wastewater management programs focused on reducing nitrogen pollution and transitioning properties toward advanced wastewater treatment where appropriate.
Why Are Nitrogen Reducing Septic Systems Important on Long Island?
Long Island relies heavily on groundwater for drinking water, while many properties are not connected to centralized sewer systems. Wastewater from conventional septic systems and cesspools can therefore become an important source of nitrogen entering the groundwater.
Suffolk County identifies conventional cesspools and septic systems as a major source of nitrogen pollution and has developed its Reclaim Our Water initiative and Septic Improvement Program to encourage wastewater upgrades.
Reducing nitrogen from onsite wastewater systems can help protect:
- Groundwater
- Drinking-water supplies
- Bays and harbors
- Wetlands and marshes
- Beaches
- Shellfish habitat
- Aquatic ecosystems
For homeowners on the East End of Long Island, upgrading an older septic system or cesspool to an approved nitrogen reducing system can be an important investment in both the property and the surrounding environment.
Nitrogen Reducing Septic Systems for the Hamptons
Nitrogen reduction is particularly important in the Hamptons and throughout the East End of Long Island because many properties rely on individual onsite wastewater systems.
Homes in Amagansett, East Hampton, Montauk, Southampton, Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor, Water Mill, Hampton Bays, and surrounding communities may have unique site conditions that affect septic system design.
Property size, groundwater conditions, soil characteristics, proximity to surface waters, existing septic infrastructure, and local requirements can all influence which wastewater treatment system is appropriate.
A professional evaluation is an important first step before selecting an I/A OWTS.