Letter: On Suffolk’s Water Quality Restoration Act

To the Editor,

I was disappointed to learn that Suffolk County said no to State and Federal Money by voting against the Water Quality Restoration Act. The irritating part of that vote is that a Yes vote would simply allow voters to approve the act this November. The creation of a fund to restore clean water is imperative.

I just installed a septic system by taking advantage of the State, County and Town grant programs. I am compelled to advise fellow homeowners to be thorough in doing the due diligence when they make the decision to install the septic upgrade. The incentives are attractive, but issues regarding reimbursement can create a disincentive to participate.

I recently learned that the 5 towns in the Peconic Bay region have the authority, under the State of New York Town Law Section 64-ee, to establish a septic system replacement loan program. Unfortunately, the 5 Towns have not used that authority.

I hope that the legislators seize the opportunity to protect clean water by the deadline of July 25. The broad range of stakeholders that collaborated for years to develop a long-term solution to fix the county’s water quality crisis should persuade the legislators that this is a non-partisan issue. It is vital to use all the levers of power to stop pollution otherwise we all suffer the consequences.

The flow of funds must be commensurate with the need for the flow of clean water. A trickle-down philosophy is woefully inadequate.

Steven A. Ludsin
East Hampton

Editor’s Note: July 25 is the Suffolk County Legislature’s last chance to put the Water Quality Restoration Act, which would provide funding for septic waste treatment throughout the county, on this November’s ballot for a public referendum. The legislature is slated to take public comment on this proposal at 2:30 p.m. at its headquarters in Hauppauge.