Voters in Long Island’s Suffolk County on Nov. 5 approved a proposition aimed at protecting drinking water and waterways. Multiple media reports reported that the New York voters approved Proposition 2, the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act. The act establishes the Water Quality Restoration Fund by increasing the county sales tax 1/8%. The act also extends Suffolk County’s Drinking Water Protection Program, funded by a 1/4% sales tax, to 2060.
The funds will be used to upgrade wastewater infrastructure and provide grants to homeowners to replace cesspools and outdated septic systems.
South Carolina
South Carolina residents whose private wells and septic systems sustained damage from Hurricane Helene can apply for FEMA assistance to cover repairs or replacement, according to a FEMA media release.
Massachusetts
Barnstable County, Massachusetts, recently secured $13 million for its Cape Cod AquiFund Program. WCAI reported that the AquiFund program provides zero-interest or low-interest loans to residents of the county, based on residents’ household income, the project scope and other factors. The funding, available through the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust, helps residents upgrade, fix or replace their septic systems or connect to municipal sewers.
New Hampshire
The town of Enfield, New Hampshire, adopted new septic system regulations, scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2025, reported the Valley News. The regulations apply to residences located within 250 feet of Crystal Lake, Spectacle Pond, George Pond and Mascoma Lake. These residences will be required to schedule a septic inspection every six years and septic pumping every three years. The town will assess fines of $250 a day for noncompliance. The town adopted the regulations after residents spoke out about water quality concerns at a Planning Board forum in June.
Rhode Island
The town of Glocester, Rhode Island, scheduled drop-in coffee hours for residents to talk informally with town officials about a septic improvement program, reported NRI Now.
The Chepachet Village Septic Improvement Program offered technical and financial assistance to homeowners seeking to upgrade their septic systems. The program targeted properties located within 200 feet of the Chepachet River. The Chepachet Village Septic Improvement Program is disbursing $765,000 it received from American Rescue Plan Act grants, U.S. EPA and Southeast New England Program.
Ohio
Six northwest Ohio communities received a total of $1.4 million from the federal Community Development Block Grant Allocation Program, multiple media sources reported. The money will be used for community projects that benefit the elderly, handicapped and low-income residents and improve water and septic services.
In a media release, State Sen. Theresa Gavarone’s office said the funding will benefit countless residents.
“These projects will help people from all walks of life and develop our communities for continued success. I am so excited to see the results of this good work!” Gavarone said.
Among the recipients is Wood County, Ohio, awarded $328,000. Part of the funding will be used to install 14 septic tank risers for 14 income-eligible residents in the village of Portage.
