Lawmaker: Estimated Costs For Sewer Project 'Much Lower' Than Projected

After a recent meeting with the community in Flanders, Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman said the costs for a new sewer district are much lower than what was initially suggested at the meeting.

Recently, the final results of a sewer study for the Riverside area were brought to the public.

Schneiderman set out to explain the new vision for the project and explain next steps.

Schneiderman attended the meeting of the Flanders, Riverside and Northampton Community Association at the David W. Crohan Community Center in Flanders, along with members of the Suffolk County Department Works, H2M, and CDM Engineering.

The public has said their aim is to promote commercial development while still focusing on improving water quality in the Peconic Estuary.

Although initially, the study area was much larger, including larger parts of Riverside, and also, Flanders, currently the revised study area focuses on redeveloping a section along the Route 24 corridor in Riverside, where a supermarket would be built.

"This is the recommended alternative. This is where we are headed," said Mary Anne Taylor, an associate at CDM working on the project.

Originally, the hope was to tap into Riverhead Town's sewage treatment plant, but that idea was nixed after Riverhead Town said their remaining capacity was reserved for downtown redevelopment.

Suffolk County Community College was also considered, but also had no capacity to spare.

To that end, the focus shifted to creating a new sewage treatment plant and system, with the objective being maximum nitrogen removal.

The Nitrex system was chosen for consideration because it offered the highest level of treatment before discharge into the Peconic, Taylor said.

A location for a potential treatment plant that could serve the Route 24 corridor was suggested for a town-owned property south of the police barracks on Vail Avenue, just before Pine Street.

A phased approach was suggested for the project, with a goal being to add a supermarket and reopen a long-shuttered restaurant as the Riverside traffic circle.

At the meeting it was announced that costs for the first phase of the project would be approximately $3.7 million, with grants necessary.

But Schneiderman, after the meeting, said he had spoken with Peter Lombardo, an environmental engineer, who told him the number given by consultants at the Flanders meeting were "very wrong." The cost for the Nitrex system for the first phase of the project, would cost "under $2 million," with everything included, and operating and maintenance costs would be lower, too, Schneiderman said.

In addition, he wanted to emphasize that the new sewer district would be very limited in size.

"Only 17 properties would be in the district, between the Riverside traffic circle and Vail Avenue, along Route 24 across from McDonald's, plus a portion of the Budget Host Motel property."

The goal would be to create commercial properties at those sites.

He added that if commercial development does take place in the Riverside area, "It will bring major tax relief for everyone in the Flanders/Riverside area because of all the new property tax revenues."

Those living in the district would have the added expense of a resident or business owner's portion of operating the plant, Schneiderman said, but, "however, these added costs will be more than covered by increased revenues and property values."

The consultants, Schneiderman said, determined that 15,000 gallons per day capacity would be enough for a new Riverside Main Street with several wet uses, including restaurants and cafes, as well as retail stores — and a new supermarket next to the Budget Host.

The county, he said, is already approving Nitrex systems of up to 15,000 gallons per day. 

He added that he believes the consultants "miscalculated the costs for the system and infrastructure, or piping.

"They originally estimated 30,000 gallons per day, which would be two Nitrex systems. One system should run around $1.5 million," he said. "I'm confident that the number will be less than $2 million, not $3.7."  

The beauty of the system, he added, is that no one will see or smell it. The system would be primarily underground, and would need only one acre of land.

"As an 'alternative system', it will qualify for the county's new grant program for alternative systems. These systems reduce nitrogen down to under 4 parts per million, compared to 10 ppm for conventional systems. Although 10 is fine for drinking water, it is too much nitrogen for the bays," Schneiderman said.

"If I am able to secure a grant, it is possible that the cost to construct the Nitrex system will be entirely paid for by the county. That will be a great incentive to redevelop this area."

Schneiderman said the system does not require much maintenance, with the main filter medium not needing to be changed for 40 years.

Next steps include informing the public about the correct numbers, and assembling property owners to see if they want to move forward with the formation of a sewer district. 

Southampton Town would then have to create a planned development district, that would allow "the flexibility to develop according to the new vision for the area. The property owners will need to decide if they want to develop the properties themselves or bring in a master developer," Schneiderman said.