The Bayview-Shorhaven Sewer Action Committee is asking that you sign this petition if you are in support of the idea of sewers in our neighborhoods. Your indication of support is not binding. This is solely for the purpose of letting our elected officials know that if we support the project, they should support it as well. We need their support to obtain grants that will pay for both the sewer infrastructure AND homeowner hook-ups to whatever sewer system is installed. 

The Great Neck Water Pollution District (GNWPCD) recently conducted a Sewer Feasibility Study for the majority of the residential areas of Bayview and Shorehaven. The study confirmed sewers are a viable option for homeowners. The associated costs of the infrastructure and hook-ups will depend on the type of sewers installed. It would be in the best interest of residents to ask for grants that will cover all initial costs to lay sewers below our streets and cover the initial costs for hooking up each home to a sewer main. The only financial responsibility to homeowners would be an annual sewer tax and if Low-Pressure sewers are installed instead of gravity-fed, there would be additional maintenance and electrical costs of a grinder pump. Annual taxes are estimated to be 0.14% of the home's assessed value according to Nassau County and the grinder pump costs are approximately a few hundred dollars a year. 

Sewers can also improve the water quality of Manhasset Bay. The Bay has been found to have dead zones caused by nitrogen and coliform from fecal matter. Cesspools add to this problem. This harms both marine life and the plants along the shoreline. Nitrogen discharged into Manhasset Bay would be reduced if the area were sewered. If sewers are installed, the waste would be treated by the GNWPCD. Solids are removed and the treated liquids are discharged into the Bay. That discharge, as reported by the District, has nitrogen levels well below strict governmental guidelines. 

With the recently passed infrastructure bill, there are billions of dollars available for projects such as this. That funding and the District's capacity to handle our waste will not last forever. It is evident that now is our community's best opportunity to pursue sewers if there is enough support. 

For these homeowner and environmental benefits, we support this project and call on our local and NY State elected officials to pursue grant funding to make this project a reality for our communities.