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Town Receives $450K NYS Grant to Aid in North Hempstead Beach Park’s ‘Septic-to-Sewers’ project


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 17, 2015
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Town Receives $450K NYS Grant to Aid in North Hempstead Beach Park’s ‘Septic-to-Sewers’ project
Sewer project will greatly reduce nitrogen levels in Hempstead Harbor

North Hempstead, NY – North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth is proud to announce that the Town has been awarded a $450,000 water infrastructure grant from New York State which will help fund a project to replace the aging septic system at North Hempstead Beach Park with a sewer system. In 2014 the Town commissioned a feasibility study to connect the park’s 43-year-old sanitary sewer system to the Port Washington Water Pollution Control District. Septic Systems are the leading source of nitrogen to groundwater and to the Town’s bays and harbors, causing hypoxia, algae blooms, and drinking water contamination. Septic systems also pollute drinking water and shell fishing waters with pathogens and pharmaceuticals.

“Reducing the nitrogen content in our harbor and waterways is critical for the health of our water and our residents,” said Supervisor Bosworth. “This grant gives us a wonderful opportunity to modernize the park’s wastewater system and improve its infrastructure. We are very thankful to Governor Cuomo for the grant funding towards this important project.” It is estimated that the project would costs $1.8 million, which will be funded in part by the grant, with the remaining cost being bonded as part of the Town’s Five Year Capital Plan.

Currently, wastewater generated from 12 service facilities located within North Hempstead Beach Park is collected and conveyed by a system of 3,900 feet of cement pipe and 24 manholes to a below-ground pumping station. The wastewater is pumped to a subsurface disposal system, consisting of a septic tank and leaching field. It was constructed in 1971 and no longer functions properly, requiring frequent and costly pump outs.

In addition to North Hempstead’s grant, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a total of $75 million in grants throughout New York State to support 45 drinking water and waste water infrastructure projects. The North Hempstead grant was the only grant award in Nassau County and one of only two issued for Long Island.

In a press release form the Governor’s Office, he stated: "New York invests more to protect water-quality and strengthen water infrastructure than any state in the nation," Governor Cuomo said. "These grants will make it easier for localities to make the critical upgrades that ensure their water systems continue to provide New Yorkers with safe, high-quality water."


North Hempstead Beach Park.


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