NY State Septic Replacement Fund

On July 7, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $30 million is available for home and small business owners who want to replace or upgrade their septic systems. Grants will reimburse property owners up to 50% (max. $10,000) of their septic system project costs. See her press release here. Upgrading your septic system to an advanced nitrogen filtration system will prevent nitrogen from flowing into the waters around Fishers Island.

How does my septic tank affect seagrass?

Human waste is nitrogen-rich. Without an advanced nitrogen filtration system, this nitrogen flows into the marine environment. In this type of environment, nitrogen is a limiting nutrient. Therefore, adding nitrogen to the system will stimulate growth, but eelgrass will not benefit. Excess nitrogen will stimulate microalgae growth, decreasing the available light to eelgrass [1]. Less light will start to kill off the eelgrass. Macroalgae, which is more competitive in lower light levels, will take its place [2].

Macroalgae is not a suitable replacement habitat for eelgrass. Macroalgae loosely anchor to hard underground objects (ex. rocks or coral) [3]. Seagrass grows in sandy areas [4], so macroalgae will have a limited habitat range in these areas. It is also less effective at stabilizing the sediment of the seafloor leading to less clear waters and an overall worsening in water quality.

Aside from protecting seagrass, there are many other reasons to ensure your septic system is filtering nitrogen. Nitrogen pollution from septic systems and cesspools leads to poor water quality, toxic algal blooms, shellfishing restrictions, fish kills, and beach closures.