Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino today announced that the Town has been awarded $2,287,710 in competitive grant funds from New York State’s Water Quality Improvement Program.  These funds will allow the Town of Oyster Bay to complete a water quality improvement project at Harry Tappen Beach in Glenwood Landing.  This project will replace, expand, and upgrade the existing on-site sewage treatment system at Harry Tappen Beach, and will subsequently reduce and minimize beach closures by the order of the Nassau County Department of Health due to bacteriological pollution. The new system will include new pump stations, septic tank filtration units, and a new leaching field.

 

Supervisor Saladino stated, “My administration is committed to protecting our environment, water quality, and our shoreline.  Unfortunately, too many of Long Island’s North Shore septic systems and cesspools are outdated.  Without investment into septic revitalization, dilapidated septic systems have a dramatic and adverse impact on aquatic life in the Long Island Sound, and a potentially devastating effect on the local economy, including fishermen and shell-fishermen. A project of this nature has long been sought by this community, and I am excited to say that in 2020 this project will commence!”

 

This water quality improvement project will immediately benefit Harry Tappen Beach, as well as Hempstead Harbor and the Long Island Sound, upon completion. As part of the project scope, new infrastructure from this project will contribute to the protection and improvement of water quality that recharges the local potable water source aquifer system. These improvements will also decrease the potential for any bacteriological pollution in Hempstead Harbor through the installation of new pump stations, septic tank filtration units, and a new leaching field. Additionally, the new septic system will treat an increased capacity of 20,000 gallons per day.