East Hampton Will Begin Accepting Septic Rebate Applications September 1

The day after East Hampton Town approved its new septic system replacement rebate program last week, officials received dozens of calls seeking information about how to secure rebates and start replacing cesspools or aging septic systems, they said this week.

The rebate law, which was unanimously approved by the Town Board on August 8, will not take effect for at least two weeks, because it has to be filed with the state, so the town has set September 1 as the first day it will begin reviewing applications for the rebates.

“As soon as news got out that we had approved the rebate law, we got 25 or 30 phone calls the next day—so there is obviously a lot of interest,” Supervisor Larry Cantwell said this week. “If there are people who are ready to proceed, we’ll help them start getting their application together now if they want, but we are not going to start processing applications until September.”

While the rebates will be available immediately, it is likely to take weeks or months for most residents to be ready to apply for a town rebate.

Because the incentive program set up by the town is a rebate, not a grant, homeowners will have to pay to have the system installed and then come to the town and apply to be reimbursed for up to $16,000 of the costs.

Suffolk County has established a grant program as part of its Septic Improvement Program, which makes up to $11,000 available to homeowners to fund the installation of the systems. The county has also set up a low-interest loan program, allowing homeowners to finance the costs of the new systems with Bridgehampton National Bank at 3 percent annually for up to 15 years.

Mr. Cantwell said he expects that contractors who sell and install the new systems—the county is also providing training to contractors in how to install them—will quickly come up with other ways to lower the out-of-pocket costs to homeowners for installation of the new systems, prior to receiving public support or reimbursements.

“I think contractors are going to be cognizant of the fact that rebates are available,” he said. “And I would think that the contractors are going to want the work.”

Eager East Hamptonites who want to get the ball rolling as soon as possible can start compiling the information they need for their applications now. Proof of property ownership and proof of eligibility for the state STAR program, which requires that annual household income is less than $500,000, will be needed for the eligibility verification form.

Then a homeowner will have to choose the new system and hire a contractor or engineer to design the installation plans for the property. Those plans will have to be taken to the Town Building Department for a building permit, and the system can then be installed.

Once the system is installed, homeowners will go to the Natural Resources Department to complete their application for reimbursement of the costs, submitting receipts for all of the work. Rebates will be issued after town building inspectors have examined the new system to ensure it is installed and operating properly.

Residents who live in one of the town’s critical watersheds will be eligible for up to $16,000 or 100 percent of the cost of the new systems. Those living outside the critical watersheds will be eligible for up to $10,000 or 75 percent of the installation cost.

The rebates will not apply to the annual maintenance or operating costs of the new systems, which have been forecast to be between $50 and $350 per year in electricity.

All five towns were given permission by voters in November to use up to 20 percent of the annual Community Preservation Fund revenue on water quality improvement projects. The towns are allowed to spend their 2017 revenue on such projects according to the revenues taken in the year prior, which for East Hampton Town would immediately make some $5.5 million available for water projects like the rebates.

Information about the county programs as well as a comprehensive list of the new nitrogen-reducing septic systems that have been approved for use can be found at www.reclaimourwater.info.