On November 5, Suffolk County approved Ballot Proposition 2, the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act, with 71.91% in favor. According to the Nature Conservancy, this act will generate $4 billion to modernize wastewater infrastructure, along with protecting Long Island’s waters from nitrogen pollution. In addition, $2 billion will be generated to protect clean drinking water through conserving open space and wildlife habitats.
With the approval of Prop 2, the county now has the ability to restore clean water and healthy coasts by preventing nitrogen pollution from the 380,000 polluting septic systems. Not only will the act expand sewers, but also finance clean water septic system replacements.
In addition, it will unlock funding to protect Suffolk County’s local bodies of water, including the beaches, bays and harbors. According to the environmental nonprofit Save the Sound, through dedicating a 1/8 penny increase to the county sales tax, the community has created a sustainable fund to help the ongoing sewage pollution and enhance water quality.
This local fund will help Suffolk Country to receive additional state and federal support for these clean water projects. The projects will create a lot of local jobs, revitalizing business districts, increasing property values and most importantly restore the local water.
A lot of people have stated that the passing of this act is a turning point for clean water on Long Island, showing the power of dedication and collaboration, however some also said that it was just unnecessary to increase taxes.
According to News 12, Suffolk Legislator Robert Trotta said that “This is nothing more than developers trying to overdevelop and make Suffolk County into Queens. Make no mistake about it, we have the money. We need to manage it more effectively.”
Since it was passed, the county will now have funding through 2060 for clean water projects.
