FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE10-37
April 19, 2010
CONTACT:
Farrell Sklerov / Angel Román (718) 595-6600
DEP Expands Kensico Septic Rehabilitation Reimbursement Program
Eligible Homeowners Will Receive Up To $25,000 to Repair Failing Septic Systems
Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway today
announced the expansion of a program to assist homeowners with problematic septic systems in the Kensico Watershed. The Kensico Septic System Rehabilitation Reimbursement Program provides a 50% reimbursement of eligible costs, up to a maximum reimbursement of $25,000, for property owners in the Kensico Reservoir Watershed Basin to help defray the cost of rehabilitating a failing septic system. Failing septic systems are potential sources of pathogens that can enter the New York City water supply. Rehabilitation and repair of failing septic systems improves the treatment of wastewater that is discharged in the watershed, resulting in better overall drinking water.
"One of our primary responsibilities is to make sure that our water supply is
protected from pathogens and other impurities," said Commissioner Holloway.
"Failed and failing septic systems are a direct threat to water quality, and the
reimbursement program we are expanding today will accelerate the repair and
replacement of septic systems that no longer work. Homeowners have a
responsibility to keep these vital septics operating, but replacement of a
failing system can be expensive. This program goes a long way to help homeowners
get the job done, which is critical to public health."
The program is available to residential owners of failing septic systems
located within the New York State portion of the Kensico Watershed, including
portions of Mount Pleasant, New Castle, North Castle and Harrison. Approximately
700 residents that are now eligible to receive funding were recently notified by
mail of their ability to participate in the program. Kensico Reservoir, located
in Westchester County, is the last reservoir in the Catskill/Delaware water
supply system before entering the City's drinking water distribution system.
Under New York State regulations, all homeowners are required to keep their
septic systems in proper working order. Discharges of untreated or partially
treated wastewater into the environment are prohibited.
The program is directly managed by the New York State Environmental
Facilities Corporation (EFC). For more information, call EFC at 1-800-882-9721
or visit the Kensico Septic Program website at www.nysefc.org/kensico. For more
information on other programs, visit www.nyc.gov/dep.
DEP manages the City's water supply, providing more than 1 billion gallons of
water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8 million in New York
City, and residents of Ulster, Orange, Putnam and Westchester counties.
Approximately 1,000 DEP employees live and work in the watershed communities as
scientists, engineers, surveyors, and administrative professionals, and perform
other critical responsibilities. DEP has invested over $1.5 billion in watershed
protection programs — including partnership organizations such as the Catskill
Watershed Corporation and the Watershed Agricultural Council — that support
sustainable farming practices, environmentally sensitive economic development,
and local economic opportunity. New York City's water is delivered from the
Catskill, Delaware, and Croton watersheds that extend more than 125 miles from
the city, and are comprised of 19 reservoirs, and three controlled
lakes.