New York State & Long Island Cesspool/Septic Grant Programs – Complete Guide
- David Warren
- October 8, 2025
Clear River assists Long Island’s locals and businesses to acquire New York septic system replacement program as well as the Suffolk County cesspool replacement program and Nassau County cesspool replacement program.
In This Article
What is the New York State Septic System Replacement Program?
New York’s state septic replacement program / septic system replacement fund is the main grants program in New York State. It provides funding to counties to help property owners replace their failing cesspool and septic systems. The counties operate local programs utilizing the funds from the state’s program along with funds from their own resources.
The main objective of this program is to reduce nitrogen pollution and improve water quality, especially in areas where drinking water gets contaminated easily because of sandy earth.
Eligibility Requirements
- Available for installation or upgrade to a new I/A OWTS system
- Available for residential and commercial projects with less than 1,000 gallons of sewage flow
- Not available for new construction on a vacant lot
- Not available to cover system design costs
Nassau County Septic Program (S.E.P.T.I.C.)
Nassau County’s septic grant program is named S.E.P.T.I.C (Septic Environmental Program To Improve Cleanliness).
This program aims to reduce water pollution through funding Nassau County’s locals and small businesses to replace their conventional septic and cesspool systems with nitrogen-reducing Innovative & Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (I/A OWTS).
- Grants up to $20,000 for eligible projects
- Accepts applications from homeowners, small businesses, and non-profit organizations
Eligibility Requirements
- All single-family, two-family, not-for-profit organizations, and small businesses with an existing sanitary design flow ≤ 1,000 gallons per day are eligible.
- Must have valid Certificate of Occupancy.
- Property must be served by existing septic system or cesspool (not connected to public/private sewer).
- Replacement must meet county’s approved I/A OWTS standards.
Suffolk County Septic Improvement Program (SIP)
Suffolk County’s septic improvement program is known as the Septic Improvement Program (SIP) and is part of the Reclaim Our Water Initiative.
This countywide program funds replacement and upgrades to I/A OWTS to reduce nitrogen around Long Island waterways.
- Up to $11,000 of the cost of new onsite eco-friendly wastewater system subsidized by the county
- Combined with state-backed grants, total subsidy can reach $30,000
Eligibility Criteria
- Available for installation or upgrade to a new I/A OWTS system on residential property
- Seasonal and second homes are eligible
- Not available for new construction on a vacant lot
- Not available to cover system design costs
Other Septic System Grants
In addition to the above programs, there are some other free government grants for septic systems like:
- Town of East Hampton Septic Incentive Program
- Town of Southampton Septic Improvement Program
How to Apply for Septic Tank Grant
Step 1: Check Eligibility
- Ensure your property is in a participating county
- Must not be connected to a public sewer system
- Property must require an upgrade
Step 2: Gather Documentation
- Proof of identity and property ownership
- Details of existing septic/cesspool system
- Engineer’s design proposal for new or upgraded system
- Required county forms
Step 3: Application Process
- Apply via the respective county’s online portal and attach required documents
- If approved, you receive a Grant Award Letter/Certificate
- Hire an engineer to prepare system design
- Submit design for county review and approval
- Select a vendor from county’s approved list
- County inspects the installation before, during, and after
- County pays the vendor directly
For Locals & Businesses
- Locals: Eligible homeowners can receive funding for replacing outdated cesspool or septic systems
- Businesses: Small businesses with ≤ 1,000 gpd sewage flow can also benefit from these programs
How Clear River Assists You
The process looks simple but is actually complicated. Since multiple programs are offered by different bodies, an expert help is crucial to fully benefit.
Clear River Environmental provides end-to-end assistance by:
- Handling the entire process from A to Z
- Helping you prepare and file required documentation
Ensuring maximum benefit from septic system grants
Why Choose Clear River?
- Clear River has installed and replaced over 25,000 septic and cesspool systems on Long Island so far
- A large number of these projects were completed through grants programs
- Clear River’s service has been trusted by both locals and businesses
If you are looking for a perfect partner to help you replace your system through local authorities’ septic system grants programs, Clear River Environmental is the most trusted company in Long Island.
Get in touch with Us
David Warren, Vice President and one of the founding visionaries of Clear River Environmental, brings
deep expertise in environmental stewardship, residential services, and operational leadership. Since cofounding the company, he has been instrumental in guiding Clear River’s evolution from a local cesspool service to Long Island’s leading provider of plumbing, septic, and environmental solutions, completing over 25,000 installations to date.
