Protect our bays. Upgrade your system. Get grant funding.
Many Long Island homes still use older cesspools or conventional septic systems that were never designed to remove nitrogen—one of the biggest drivers of water-quality decline in our bays, harbors, and groundwater. Innovative/Alternative onsite wastewater treatment systems (“I/A OWTS”) are designed to significantly reduce nitrogen before treated water returns to the ground.
Good news: Homeowners (and in some cases small businesses/nonprofits) may qualify for grant funding to help offset the cost of upgrading.
What is an “Innovative” septic system?
An I/A OWTS is an advanced onsite treatment system that adds steps beyond a traditional septic tank + leaching pool, using biological treatment processes (often including aeration and recirculation) to reduce nitrogen before discharge. Nassau’s program describes this as using aerobic and anaerobic biological processes that ultimately release nitrogen as harmless nitrogen gas.
Why upgrade?
- Reduce nitrogen entering groundwater and nearby waterways
- Improve local water quality and help protect beaches, shellfishing areas, and marine life
- Replace aging or failing systems with modern technology
Start your grant application (Suffolk or Nassau steps below).
How Innovative (I/A) Systems Work vs. Traditional Systems
How the Grants Work (Suffolk + Nassau + NYS)
Suffolk County: Septic Improvement Program (SIP)
Nassau County: S.E.P.T.I.C. Replacement Program
New York State: Septic System Replacement Fund (Administered Locally)
Eligibility
You may be eligible if you
Suffolk (SIP) — typical requirements include:
- Property is served by an existing septic system or cesspool (not sewered)
- Not new construction on a vacant lot
- No tax liens or foreclosure; property taxes are current
- Standard property documentation is available (tax bill, CO, zoning compliance, etc.)
Nassau (S.E.P.T.I.C.) — qualifying properties include:
- Single- and two-family homes, as well as some small businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities (within program limits)
- Replacement of an existing cesspool or septic system with a nitrogen-reducing IA OWTS
- Must meet local permitting requirements
- Must not have tax liens or active foreclosure
- Must have a valid certificate of occupancy or equivalent documentation
Note: Final eligibility depends on location, permitting jurisdiction, and program review. Always confirm with the county program contacts.
How to Register / Apply (Step-by-Step)
Suffolk County (SIP)
Registration & Application Steps
- Go to Suffolk County’s SIP page and click Apply Now.
- You’ll be directed to the Suffolk County Citizens Portal (Accela) and should register for an account if you don’t already have one.
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Inside the portal:
- Click the “Environmental Quality” tab
- Choose Create an Application
- Select Office of Ecology → “SIP Application” → Continue
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Gather key documents before you start:
- Homeowner’s insurance
- Most recent property tax bill
- Certificate of Occupancy / Zoning Compliance
- (If applicable) proof of system failure
- (If applying for LMI incentives) portions of the most recent tax return with sensitive info redacted
Nassau County (S.E.P.T.I.C.)
Registration & Application Steps
- Start at Nassau Soil & Water Conservation District’s SEPTIC page and click Apply for the Septic Replacement Program.
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Review:
- Eligibility requirements
- Accepted I/A technologies
- Participating installers/designers
- FAQs and program documents (all linked on the program page)
- Submit the application through the program’s portal and follow the program workflow for design/permitting/installation.
“How payments usually work” (good website explainer)
In Suffolk’s program guidance, the county describes that the installer is paid grant funds directly by
Suffolk County on the homeowner’s behalf (rather than the homeowner receiving a check first).
FAQs
Yes—Suffolk’s program guidance states you must apply and be issued a grant prior to installation.
Some parts are visible and accessible, such as tank covers and a control panel, but most system components are installed underground.
Yes. Suffolk’s homeowner guidance notes ongoing costs may include maintenance contracts, periodic pumping, and electric usage depending on the system type.
Funding varies by county and program. Nassau County describes grants of up to $20,000 for eligible recipients. Suffolk’s funding breakdown and add-ons are detailed in its “Understanding the Grant Process” document.
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