It was a monumental moment in Suffolk's history, and the beginning of a far-reaching effort to protect Long Island waters: ten homes in Mastic had their toilets flushed, and instead of going into cesspools, the waste headed to a new sewer plant.
Advocates of the $228 million Forge River Watershed Sewer Project assembled at the Shirley plant on the Sunrise Highway’s north service road to herald the milestone. “This system will greatly increase the water quality of the river and protect our aquifer,” said County Executive Ed Romaine, who noted that the “tertiary” system treats water in three phases before it is released in a gigantic leaching field adjacent to Brookhaven Calabro Airport.
Funds for the project came together after a substantial influx of federal Hurricane Sandy relief dollars, along with support from the state, county, and Brookhaven Town. The County Executive pledged to invest $1 billion in new Suffolk sewers over the next few years, projects that will be bolstered by an expected $50 million per year from an eighth-of-a-cent sales tax increase approved by voters in November. “We’re also counting on funds from the $1 trillion federal infrastructure bill and the state’s environmental bond act where there’s $4.2 billion,” Romaine said. “Suffolk County will match them dollar for dollar to build new sewers.”
“Today is a great day for the Forge River,” declared Legislator Jim Mazzarella. He acknowledged the efforts of many residents and officials, including his predecessor, former Legislator Rudy Sunderman, for fighting for the system over the last half-century. He noted that the sewers will protect local waters and provide an economic boost to businesses along Montauk Highway and surrounding areas.
Members of the Manor Park and Pattersquash Creek Civic associations were singled out for their efforts in keeping the sewer dream alive, along with the work of “Sewer Czar” Peter Scully, who served during the previous administration. “It was an incredible team effort to bring this all together,” exclaimed Jennifer Juengst, a Deputy County Executive.
“This will be great for our downtown,” said Frank Montenez, president of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mastics & Shirley. “It will help our businesses grow and create jobs, plus it’s great for the environment.”
Also attending the announcement was Amanda Lefton, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, who stressed that Gov. Cathy Hochul is committed to wastewater projects. “Water is our lifeblood, such an important part of our life on Long Island,” she said. “We’re all in this together.” Lefton noted the need to remove nitrogen from the water supply, a nutrient that causes brown tides and other harmful algae blooms.
County Executive Romaine said the project is unique in that the federal funds will cover the cost of residential hookups to the sewer mains. The new system will serve nearly 2,500 homes and businesses—about half of Mastic—and new hookups are being made every day. One million in grant money was secured by Legislator Mazzarella for commercial connections.
Plans are on tap to keep expanding coverage into the Mastic Peninsula with a new plant built at the former Links golf course property, now owned by Brookhaven Town, as part of the Beechwood project to rebuild the Neighborhood Road Business District. Roads in the Mastic Community disturbed by the construction were repaved.
According to Suffolk Commissioner of Public Works Charles Bartha, the new plant consists of three main buildings, which will keep the treatment process entirely indoors. The structures, along with a scrubber system, will contain odors. “We want to be good neighbors,” the Commissioner said.