Protecting Huntington’s Harbor: How Professional Cesspool Services Are Leading the Fight Against Marine Pollution

The pristine waters of Huntington Harbor, stretching across 60 miles of Long Island’s North Shore coastline, face an invisible but urgent threat. Nitrogen pollution from inadequately treated sewage is continuing to degrade our bays and lakes, and is a leading cause of water quality impairment on Long Island. For homeowners in the Huntington area, understanding how professional cesspool services protect these vital waterways has never been more critical.

The Hidden Environmental Crisis

Long Island’s water quality crisis stems from a surprising source: the very systems designed to handle our household waste. A study on nitrogen loading to Great South Bay estimates that roughly 70% of nitrogen pollution originates from cesspools and septic systems, with wastewater-derived effluent being the source of approximately 68 percent of the total nitrogen that enters the Great South Bay. This pollution doesn’t stay contained—it flows directly into the groundwater and eventually reaches Huntington Harbor and surrounding waterways.

The consequences are devastating. From May through September, every major bay and estuary across Long Island was badly affected by toxic algae blooms, oxygen starved waters, or both, with heavy loads of nitrogen, mainly from sewage followed by fertilizers, widely cited as the ultimate cause of these disturbing events. The bay-scallop collapse was almost entirely due to the nitrogen-caused algal blooms, while hard clams have failed to recover largely due to recurrent brown tides.

Why Traditional Cesspools Threaten Marine Life

The fundamental problem lies in how traditional cesspools function. A cesspool system does not treat the waste water before releasing back it into the environment, while a septic tank system processes and treats the waste water before releasing it back into the environment. This untreated waste contains high levels of nitrogen that seep directly into the soil and groundwater.

The biggest source of nitrogen pollution is our reliance on cesspools and outdated septic systems to dispose of our wastewater. These systems were never designed to remove substances such as nitrogen from the waste stream. When this nitrogen-rich water reaches marine environments, it triggers harmful algal blooms that deprive marine life of essential oxygen, creating dead zones where fish and shellfish cannot survive.

Regulatory Changes Protecting Huntington’s Waters

Recognizing the severity of this environmental threat, Suffolk County has implemented groundbreaking regulations. The use of cesspools in new construction has been banned in Suffolk County since 1973, but by now closing the loophole that allowed cesspool replacements, it will advance the water quality efforts and set the stage for the evolution away from non-performing cesspools to new technologies that reduce nitrogen in residential wastewater by up to 70 percent.

As of July 1, 2019, Suffolk County Department of Health Services implemented a change where the new law states that a failing cesspool must be replaced with a new system. This means homeowners can no longer simply replace old cesspools with new ones—they must upgrade to modern treatment systems that actually process waste before releasing it into the environment.

The Role of Professional Cesspool Services

Professional cesspool services play a crucial role in this environmental protection initiative. Companies like Antorino & Sons, a family-owned and operated cesspool company serving Long Island with over 60 years of quality experience, provide essential services that directly impact water quality.

Regular maintenance and pumping prevent system overflows that could contaminate nearby waterways. Professional cesspool services routinely pump and clean cesspools or septic tanks to guarantee no back-ups, soil pollution, drainage leaks or clogged systems. When systems are properly maintained, they’re less likely to fail catastrophically and release untreated waste into the environment.

For residents seeking reliable Cesspool Service Huntington, professional companies also provide critical documentation services. Suffolk County requires cesspool pumping records for property transfers and renovation permits, and professional pumping service includes detailed documentation showing waste volumes removed, disposal facility receipts, and system condition assessments that satisfy county requirements.

Advanced Treatment Technologies

Professional cesspool services are at the forefront of implementing new technologies designed to protect marine environments. Suffolk County launched its voluntary Septic Improvement Program, the first of its kind in New York State, which provides grants and low interest financing to make the replacement of cesspools and septic systems with new technologies affordable for homeowners, with nearly 850 homeowners registering for the program in the first five months.

These advanced systems represent a dramatic improvement over traditional cesspools. Unlike a cesspool where bacteria and nitrogen can seep out, the advanced process removes more nitrogen than a cesspool, and excessive nitrogen can affect the oxygen level in water where it is below the necessary levels to support marine life.

Financial Incentives and Support

Understanding that system upgrades represent a significant investment, various programs help homeowners make environmentally responsible choices. New York State and Suffolk County offer up to $30,000 for replacing cesspools and septic systems with on-site treatment technology, which covers the average cost of $19,200 to install an advanced treatment system, with some East End towns bringing the total incentive up to $50,000 in certain areas.

The Urgency of Action

The window for protecting Huntington Harbor and Long Island’s marine ecosystems is narrowing. Restoring clean, healthy water requires drastically reducing nitrogen pollution from Suffolk County’s approximately 360,000 nitrogen-polluting cesspools and septic systems, but to restore our beloved bays and harbors and protect our drinking water, a dedicated and sustainable funding source is needed to replace 380,000 antiquated septic systems.

Professional cesspool services provide homeowners with immediate ways to contribute to this environmental protection effort. Regular maintenance prevents system failures, proper waste disposal ensures contamination doesn’t reach waterways, and upgrading to advanced treatment systems directly reduces nitrogen pollution entering marine environments.

Taking Action for Huntington’s Future

For Huntington residents, partnering with experienced professionals like Antorino & Sons—who understand the unique challenges of Long Island’s soil and water table and are committed to providing top-notch cesspool services tailored to meet the unique needs of Long Island residents—represents both environmental stewardship and practical home maintenance.

The health of Huntington Harbor depends on the collective action of individual property owners. By maintaining existing systems properly, upgrading when necessary, and working with professional services that understand the environmental implications of their work, residents can directly contribute to protecting the marine ecosystems that define Long Island’s character and economy.

The fight to save Huntington’s waters isn’t just about regulation and technology—it’s about recognizing that every cesspool and septic system is connected to the larger marine environment we all depend on. Professional cesspool services provide the expertise and commitment needed to ensure that this connection works to protect, rather than pollute, our precious coastal waters.