Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has joined Village of Westhampton Beach Mayor Maria Moore for a celebratory “first flush” to announce the completion of the long-awaited project connecting the Village’s Business District to the County’s wastewater treatment plant at Frances S. Gabreski Airport. The sewer district connection will allow for the Westhampton Beach business district to continue to expand and attract new business. The connection works to protect both the quality of water, by preventing nitrogen from entering the groundwater, and downtown vibrancy.
“The connection of this business district to a modern wastewater treatment plant is a win-win that will protect water quality and keep Westhampton Beach’s economy moving forward,” said Suffolk County Executive Bellone. “This is perfect example of how local governments can work cooperatively to share services and save taxpayer dollars.”
Westhampton Beach Village Mayor Maria Moore said: “Because of the generous support from New York State, Suffolk County and Southampton Town we were able to complete this project without raising taxes.” The project, which cost approximately $16 million was funded largely by a combination of state dollars through the Department of Environmental Conservation and Environmental Facilities Corporation, Suffolk County, and Southampton Town Community Preservation Fund dollars, with the remainder coming from the Village surplus. “This is a prime example of what can be achieved through cross-sector collaboration and determination,” said Mayor Moore.
A study provided to the Village by Stony Brook scientist Christopher Gobler in the project’s initial planning stages laid out the enhanced environmental protections and improved water quality that would ensue. According to the Gobler report, the system will reduce the nitrogen content into the bay by 5,000 pounds a year representing a 24% decrease.
In 2018, County Executive Bellone signed legislation to authorize an agreement with the Village of Westhampton Beach to connect its business district and two condominium complexes to the County’s wastewater treatment plant located at Frances S. Gabreski Airport.
Westhampton Beach officials considered building a new sewage treatment plant in the Village, but ultimately decided that it would be too expensive to do so. A Village sewer consultant had estimated that the Village will save about $7.4 million by contributing towards an expansion of the County’s treatment plant, known as Suffolk County Sewer District 24, which currently serves Gabreski Airport, the Air National Guard base and the companies located in the Hampton Business District.
The County’s treatment plant at Gabreski Airport required modifications in order to accommodate the additional sewage from Westhampton Beach. The sewage treatment plant used the connection fee of $1.8 million from the Village to offset the cost of the modifications which increased the plant’s capacity by 50 percent.
“The project will also provide a boost to the local economy, attracting new businesses and supporting existing ones. People are already showing confidence in the community by building and renovating their existing infrastructure,” said Mayor Moore. “With a new boutique hotel taking over an old bank building and expanded dining experiences, it has greatly enhanced the aesthetic appeal of the area making it more attractive to residents, businesses and visitors.”
Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. said: “Because of the state and local government cooperation, we have taken another major step to improve water quality on the East End. Congratulations to the Village of Westhampton Beach for completing the connection of downtown and other environmentally sensitive parts of Westhampton Beach to the Suffolk County Gabreski Sewer Treatment Plant. New York State contributed $6.8 million to support the connection to the Gabreski plant, including $5 million from the Department of Environmental Conservation Water Quality Improvement Program. The Town also provided over $4 million from the Community Preservation Fund to the Village to finance the construction of the wastewater collection and conveyance infrastructure. The result will be a win for the environment and the economy. Water quality will be improved with reduced nitrogen pollution and local businesses will be able to reach their full potential.”
Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming said: “Mayor Maria Moore and the Village Trustees have demonstrated exactly how to balance environmental needs with smart growth that revitalizes downtown Westhampton Beach and reduces nitrogen pollution up to 24%. Thanks to our intermunicipal partnership, new drainage and infrastructure improvements have transformed Westhampton Beach into a vibrant community location that will help grow the east end economy and bolster Suffolk County’s clean water efforts. I applaud Mayor Moore and the Village Trustees for their extraordinary leadership and thank County Executive Steve Bellone and the Suffolk County Department of Health Services for their professionalism in accomplishing this important milestone.”
Southampton Supervisor Jay Schneiderman said: “Responsible development and preventing water pollution from aging septic tanks are two critical issues for the East End. Sewer systems and wastewater treatment are an important way to achieve both. This infrastructure project will help diversify and grow the Village’s economy, while protecting our sole source aquifer.”
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos said: “The Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan is a critical partnership that helps advance significant State investments in innovative projects that are reducing nitrogen pollution and restoring Long Island’s waters. DEC is excited to be a partner in projects underway in Westhampton Beach, helping connect the sewer system between Suffolk County and the village of Westhampton Beach, which will prevent water impairments and significantly improve water quality for generations to come.”
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President & CEO Maureen A. Coleman said: “EFC today celebrates with the Village of Westhampton Beach and Suffolk County on this important milestone for a critical project that will reduce nitrogen pollution and improve water quality in the bay. New York State’s significant investment and ongoing partnership with the village and county to undertake this critical wastewater treatment upgrade is representative of the positive, tangible outcomes for people and communities that result when government works together.”
Advancing Suffolk County’s wastewater infrastructure and reducing nitrogen pollution in the County’s waterways is a top priority for County Executive Bellone. County Executive Bellone introduced the Reclaim our Water initiative to reduce nitrogen pollution of groundwater and surface waters from cesspools and septic systems through connection of communities to sewer systems and the installation of advanced on-site wastewater treatment systems. Cesspools have been identified as a primary source of nitrogen pollution that has degraded water quality throughout Suffolk County, contributing to harmful algae blooms, beach closures and fish kills.
