Septic Research Center

Stony Brook University to Establish a Research Incubator with a Focus on Developing Better Septic Systems to Reduce Nitrogen Seeping into Groundwater and Tidal Estuaries

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced this week that the state's 2015 budget will contribute $2 million in seed money to Stony Brook University to establish a research incubator with a focus on developing better septic systems to reduce nitrogen seeping into groundwater and tidal estuaries.

The concept of the technology incubator, and the hoped-for growth of a septics technology commercial hub on the East End, was born in Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst's office and gathered steam on the backs of local residents, lawmakers and Stony Brook's scientific community.

The center is envisioned as a hub to drive the development of new technologies that better remove nitrogen from human wastewater before it is discharged back into the environment. The secondary benefit of the effort would be the creation of more jobs and economic opportunity from tech companies that base their manufacturing and research facilities here.

"We felt that there was a lack of focus on problem solving and putting the resources to actually coming up with technology that is both cost-efficient as well as met a standard that would start to reverse this pollution and the threat that it is to both our public health and to our economic development out here," Ms. Throne-Holst said. "Based on that vision, we would create something similar to a Silicon Valley model for IT, but this would be a Suffolk County approach to wastewater technology, and understanding that if we marshal the resources we have the opportunity to not only address this critical issue but also work toward economic development and job creation."

In recent years, researchers from Stony Brook have shown direct connections between nitrogen flowing from residential septic systems and the burgeoning of destructive algae blooms in local bays over the last three decades that have killed fish and shellfish and, at times, threatened human health.

Pointing to the health of the bays as a crucial component of the region's resort economy, local lawmakers have begun pressing for steep improvements to septic systems. But current available technology largely falls short of the levels of nitrogen abatement scientists say is needed, and any upgrades are expensive.

Ms. Throne-Holst, in announcing the partnership between the town, Stony Brook, Suffolk County and the State Department of Environmental Conservation at Tuesday's meeting of the Southampton Town Board, credited her executive assistant, Jen Garvey, with having conceived the idea of an East End-based septic technology initiative, both as a path to solving the region's complex water quality problems and as a catalyst for economic growth. Ms. Throne-Holst also credited town resident Steve Savage with having helped shape the vision for the technology hub. She also credited Mr. Cuomo with having grasped the need for and the economic potential of the tech incubator vision.

"He is an incredibly conversant and educated man on this issue and was excited by this prospect," she said. "I want to thank everyone that worked with us on this. It's been a labor of love but one we hope will be transformational both for the region and for the world as a whole and will improve lives all over, as well as bring some jobs and put our area on the map as world leaders in wastewater technology development."

Green Power Forum

The town's Sustainable Advisory Committee will host a public informational forum on renewable energy in Hampton Bays tonight, October 30, from 7 to 9 p.m.

The meeting will include a presentation by Clint Plummer, vice president of Deepwater Wind, the company that has proposed constructing 35 wind turbines in the waters off Block Island, who will answer the public's questions about the proposal. The project would sit 30 miles east of Montauk but has been proposed to deliver enough power to eastern Long Island to power up to 140,000 homes.

Also at the meeting, Gordian Raacke, director of Renewable Energy Long Island, will discuss East Hampton Town's plans to generate of all its facilities' energy from renewable sources by 2020 and how that plan might translate for Southampton Town.

PSEG efficiency manager John Franceschina will also be on hand to talk about the power company's plans for increasing energy efficiency and about renewable energy programs that are available to residents now.

Source: 27East

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