Innovative Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (I/A OWTS)
What to know:
- Long Island has a tremendous amount of Nitrogen pollution in its water ways.
- Untreated wastewater from failing cesspools is one of the largest contributing factors to Long Islands Nitrogen Pollution in its water ways
- Long Island has municipal grant rebate programs from $10,000 – $45,000 to assist & promote the upgrading of residential & small business failing cesspools.
- If you meet certain criteria, you may be eligible!
Note: The average cost for a 3–5-bedroom home is $17,000 -$24,000
Grants rebates are available from:
- New York State
- Nassau County
Note: New Construction is not eligible for most grants - Suffolk County
- Town of Southampton
- Town of East Hampton
- Town of Shelter Island
How can we help?
- We can help with the initial phone call or email we will determine your grant eligibility at no cost to you.
- We perform a site evaluation FREE of charge!
During our site visit we help determine:
- What kind of septic system or cesspool(s) you currently have and if anything can be saved.
- The best access point for equipment & placement for the new I/A OWTS.
- Site restraints ex: groundwater, soil conditions etc.
- Help you choose the brand of your technology that best fits your property & budget.
- Estimated cost of the new I/A OWTS.
Note: electrician, engineer design, soil testing are additional costs to anticipate.
- What designer is a best fit, from a list of I/A OWTS design professionals we work closely with or we can work with a design of your choice!
Note: ALL I/A OWTS must have a licensed design professional prepare drawings for approval
- We can assist with grant applications & approvals
We are currently certified to install the following nitrogen reducing technologies (I/A OWTS)
- Fuji Clean
- Hydro Action
- Norweco
To determine your grant eligibility; & The Process
Call 631-588-8400 or 516-624-6767 and ask to speak with one of our experienced installation estimators
- We will determine your grant & rebate eligibility based on your property location, annual income and/or catastrophic failure or failing cesspool(s).
- We will determine your I/A OWTS size based on the # of bedrooms within your home.
- We will determine your design options like placement, set-backs, property disturbance, site restraints & access for the equipment. We plan & budget for the most efficient & cost-effective approach to allow little to no money out of pocket.
- We will determine waste line depth (access to home is needed)
- We will determine placement of the control panel & routing for electrial
- We will help you choose a design professional with I/A OWTS designing experience to help move your project along quickly & efficiently.
- We will help you apply & secure ALL grants/rebates that you may be eligible for.
- Copy of Homeowner’s Insurance Policy
- Copy of most recent property tax bill
- Federal / State tax return(s)
- Copy of Certificate of Occupancy or Zoning Compliance for the dwelling – available from the Town Clerk’s office
- A W-9
- If applicable: proof of sanitary system failure (photo, service receipts, etc.)
- An up-to-date property survey.
- Soil boring
- Soil percolation test
- Utilities mark-out
- Wetland boundaries staking / flagging
- Well water analysis
- Topographic survey or survey elevations
- Suffolk county board of health permit
- Town/ Village electric permit
- Town/ village septic permit
- Town / village plumbing permit
- NYS DEC permit
- Town/Village Wetland Permit
- Coordinate with homeowner, designer, electrician, I/A OWTS distributor & any required inspectors
- Schedule a date & time to do the installation
- Install & start up your new I/A onsite wastewater treatment system!
- Complete & submit all final documents in order to receive funding for grants /rebates.
Covers provide access to your septic system so that your service provider can inspect and maintain your septic system. Covers can be landscaped around but must remain fully accessible.
Control Panels are the brains of the I/A OWTS and usually mounted to the side of the dwelling. They should be protected from damage and easily accessible by operation and maintenance providers.
The first three years are covered as part of the manufacturer’s warranty. However, homeowners will need to sign yearly maintenance contracts and will be responsible for maintenance costs after the 3-year warranty expires. It is anticipated that O&M will cost approximately $300 a year.
Depending on the treatment process and manufacturer’s system, the system either runs continuously or on-demand. Based on information provided by manufacturers, the systems that are provisionally approved have approximate annual electric costs ranging from $57 to $266 per year.
Homeowners should be aware that although I/A OWTS have a long track record of use in the USA, they do contain components such as pumps, floats, air compressors, and controls that may need to be replaced at some point during the useful life of the system. These component repair and replacement costs could range from $50 to $200.
Although these systems provide advanced treatment, they will still need to be occasionally pumped by a septage hauler. Depending on use of the system, it is estimated that the average system would need to be pumped out every 3-5 years. This increases the treatment and useful life of any sewage disposal system including I/A OWTS. A typical pump-out is estimated to cost $300 – $500.
Property owners are required to register their I/A OWTS with their County’s Health Department at time of Final Approval from the Department. Registration is updated every 3 years and upon property transfer. There is no cost to register your I/A OWTS, but it is critical in order for SCDHS to ensure proper function of your I/A OWTS and provide homeowners with essential news or information regarding their I/A OWTS.
Visible Components on I/A OWTS:
- Risers/chimneys with covers to grade on all access openings
- Control Panel with electrical connection and high-water alarms
- Air Blowers
- Air vents with associated piping and carbon filter required