Suffolk County Legis. Jim Mazzarella recently announced that Suffolk County has received approval from the Office of the State Comptroller to establish the long-awaited Forge River Watershed Sewer District, with construction to begin this fall.
The historic project will connect roughly 1,889 homes to a state-of-the-art sewage treatment facility, eliminating thousands of outdated cesspools and septic systems which contribute to the nitrogen pollution in the Forge River and the Narrows Bay. Approximately 150 business properties will also be able to connect to the sewer system.
“This is a historic moment for the Mastic/Shirley Peninsula and the homeowners within the boundaries of the sewer district who will be eligible to connect their homes with no out-of-pocket expenses,” said Mazzarella. “This project will greatly reduce the nitrogen load in the Forge River, and will also create jobs and revitalize the business corridor along Montauk Highway.”
The Forge River Watershed Sewer District is unique in that all construction costs, including the cost of connection to homes, and the abandonment of the existing cesspools or septic systems are being funded by grants, at no cost to homeowners.
“We are excited to break ground on phases one and two of this sewer district,” he added. “These initial phases are the first step in my commitment to expand sewers into Mastic Beach, and one day the entire peninsula.”
The first phase of construction will begin with the building of the sewage treatment plant to be located at the Brookhaven Calabro Airport. Earlier this year the Town of Brookhaven and Suffolk County approved an inter-municipal agreement and the county purchased 26 acres, to be utilized for the treatment facility and the leaching fields.
“The water quality of the Forge River has been a point of concern for many years and I am pleased that the problem will now be addressed and not just talked about,” said Brookhaven Town supervisor Ed Romaine. “I thank Legis. Mazzarella for his role in moving ahead with this long awaited sewer district project that will surely be a benefit to the environment and the residents of the Tri-Hamlet community.”
Residents who live in the sewer district should be on the lookout for notices that will be sent to homeowners regarding upcoming meeting information and property access agreements for construction.
In early 2022, Suffolk County will host a series of meetings with property owners to work out the final details and secure signatures on these property access agreements. For any questions regarding the progress of the sewer district, please check out the project webpage at www.forgewatershedsewers.com or contact Mazzarella’s office at 631-852-1300.
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