Suffolk Cesspool ReplacementGet quotes

Suffolk County Cesspool Replacement Quotes

Is your cesspool backing up, collapsing, or needing pump-outs all the time? Suffolk County no longer allows a cesspool to be swapped for another cesspool, but county and state grants can cover a large share of a nitrogen-reducing I/A system. Tell us about the property once, and hear from up to 3 independent local installers.

  • Free to request
  • No obligation
  • ZIP code only, no address
  • Independent local installers
Request free quotes
  • $20,000Suffolk County SIP grant, maximum per property
  • $25,000NYS septic fund, up to 75% of eligible costs
  • Three yearsof maintenance funded by the county grant
  • July 2019when in-kind cesspool replacement ended

Get up to 3 free installer quotes

Free, no obligation, about 2 minutes. We only need the ZIP code, not the street address.

For example: the system is under a driveway, you are near water or wetlands, you have a private well, or you already have an engineer or a county permit.

This site is not Suffolk County. Sending this form is not a grant application.

How it works

  1. Tell us about the property

    Your town, ZIP code, what you have now, and whether you have applied for the grants. It takes about 2 minutes.

  2. Up to 3 installers reach out

    Independent local septic installers who work in your town contact you the way you choose.

  3. Line up the grant

    Apply on the county's site before any installation. A design professional prepares the plan for county approval.

  4. Install and get paid out

    The county inspects the work, then pays the county grant straight to your installer.

Why cesspools are being replaced across Suffolk

Suffolk County says nearly 70% of its homes use cesspools and septic systems, and that they are a major source of the nitrogen that pollutes drinking water and feeds algal blooms in local bays and rivers. A cesspool is little more than a buried chamber that lets untreated wastewater soak into the ground. The county's FAQ estimates the average residential system sends about 40 pounds of nitrogen a year into the ground.

Two rules changed what a replacement looks like. Since July 1, 2019, you can't replace a cesspool in kind: the county has to approve the replacement, and it must include at least a septic tank. Since July 1, 2021, new homes, expansions that add sewage capacity or bedrooms, and major reconstructions generally need an I/A system. Our cesspool rules guide explains both.

What the grants cover, in brief

  • Suffolk County Septic Improvement Program (SIP): up to $20,000 per property, paid directly to an installer on the county's approved list after the work is complete. It also funds maintenance for the first 3 years.
  • NYS Septic System Replacement Program (SSRP): up to 75% of eligible costs, capped at $25,000, for systems on the county's approved I/A list. Paid to the installer or reimbursed to you.
  • Town rebates: Southampton (up to $20,000 base, $25,000 maximum), East Hampton (up to $15,000, or $20,000 in the Water Protection District or for low to moderate income owners), and Shelter Island (up to $12,000 base, plus add-ons).

You still pay for permit application fees, engineering and design, landscaping after the job, and anything above the grant amounts, unless a town rebate covers it. The cost and grant guide breaks this down, and the application guide walks through every step.

Who qualifies for the county grant

At a minimum, Suffolk County says the property must:

  • Be an existing home: single-family, two-family, or single-family with one accessory apartment
  • Use a cesspool or septic system that will be replaced, and not be connected to sewers or inside a proposed sewer area
  • Have a valid Certificate of Occupancy and a current town-issued property tax bill
  • Be current on property taxes, with no liens or foreclosure
  • Have a deed on file with the Suffolk County Clerk

New construction on a vacant lot is not eligible. Applications with a documented system failure are funded first, then properties in the county's priority areas. You can check a parcel on the county's SIP eligibility map.

What to ask before you sign a quote

  • Are you on the county's SIP Approved Installer List? If not, the county grant can't pay them.
  • Which I/A system are you proposing, and is it on the county's approved list? The state grant only covers approved Residential General Use or Provisional Use systems.
  • Who is the design professional, and what does the design cost? Design is a separate contract you pay for.
  • What is in the price? Ask whether it includes abandoning the old cesspool, the leaching structure, electrical work, and site restoration.
  • What will the maintenance contract cost after year 3? The county estimates about $300 to $600 a year, plus $75 to $250 a year in electricity.
  • Do I need any town, village or wetlands permits? The county says local building and wetlands permits may be required on top of the county permit.

Common questions

Are you Suffolk County or an installer?

Neither. Suffolk Cesspool Replacement is a free referral service. We pass your request to independent local septic installers who work in your town. They give you quotes and do the work. Suffolk County runs the grant programs, reviews the design, and inspects the installation.

Can I just replace my cesspool with a new cesspool?

No. Since July 1, 2019, Suffolk County has not allowed in-kind cesspool replacement. Any replacement needs county Department of Health Services approval, and the new system has to meet current standards, which at a minimum means a septic tank ahead of the leaching structure. Many owners use the grants to go one step further and install a nitrogen-reducing I/A system.

What is an I/A system?

I/A stands for Innovative and Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (I/A OWTS). It uses a biological treatment process to remove much more nitrogen than a cesspool or a standard septic tank. You will see tank covers and a small control panel in the yard, and it needs professional maintenance every year.

How much grant money is available?

Suffolk County's Septic Improvement Program offers up to $20,000 per property. The New York State Septic System Replacement Program offers up to 75% of eligible costs, capped at $25,000 per property. One application on the county's site covers both. East Hampton, Shelter Island and Southampton offer their own rebates on top.

Do I have to pay the full price up front?

Not for the county grant. It is paid directly to your installer after the work is done and inspected, so it is not a reimbursement. The state grant can be paid to the installer or reimbursed to you. You pay up front for design and permit fees, and for any part of the price the grants don't cover.

Can any installer do the work?

To use the county grant, you must hire an installer from the county's SIP Approved Installer List. Ask any installer you talk to whether they are on it, and check the list yourself.

Do I need to apply before the work starts?

Yes. Suffolk County says you must apply for and be issued a grant before the I/A system is installed. The only work that should happen first is design and permitting, which your design professional handles.

How many installers will get my request?

No more than 3, and only ones that work in your area. We don't post your request publicly or add you to marketing lists.

Do I have to hire one of them?

No. Asking for quotes is free, and you never have to hire anyone.

Town guides

The county and state grants work the same everywhere in Suffolk. Some towns add their own money or rules:

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Sources

We checked every grant amount, rule and cost on this page against these official pages on November 10, 2026. Grant rules and funding change, so confirm with Suffolk County or your town before you rely on them.