The Center for Clean Water Technology (CCWT) at Stony Brook University revealed on Friday that its updated septic system that treats wastewater could be available for installation throughout Suffolk County as soon as June 2022.
Staff at CCWT presented research and spoke with reporters about the recent developments to combat groundwater pollution during a Zoom conference. The technology is an on-site septic system with nitrogen-removing biofilters, or NRBs, and would reduce levels of harmful chemicals 1,4-dioxane and nitrogen pollution from wastewater.
“This is great news,” said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, who was also on the call. “We want to prevent pollution before it gets into the groundwater and Stony Brook has found a tool to do that.”
Dr. Christopher Gobler, director of CCWT, said the NRBs have now moved from the experimental to the pilot phase in Suffolk. NRBs remove nitrogen from wastewater “at or better than a sewage treatment plant,” he said, as well as removing most pathogens and phosphorus.
CCWT anticipates that by June 2022, homes in Suffolk could begin having the NRBs installed for their own septic systems for “little out of pocket cost to the homeowners.”
Gobler explained that state, county, and local grants would be available to residents and allow them to pay for the installation, which would cost about $20,000. He added that the towns of Southampton and East Hampton offer grants for the system, as well.
CCWT’s research study on 1,4-dioxane and nitrogen’s impacts on water quality and how to remove the contaminants, “Removing 80-90% of Nitrogen and Organic Contaminants,” was published this month in the Journal of Ecological Engineering, an international, peer reviewed scientific publication.
CCWT formed in 2015 and began its NRB project in 2018. For more information, visit stonybrook.edu/commcms/cleanwater/.
Sign up for Long Island Press’ email newsletters here. Sign up for home delivery of Long Island Press here. Sign up for discounts by becoming a Long Island Press community partner here.
