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Legislature approves order to pursue Suffolk County Wastewater Management District under state law
Summary
The Suffolk County Legislature approved Introductory Resolution 1569 to issue findings and an order to establish a countywide Wastewater Management District under the State Water Quality Restoration Act and to merge existing county sewer districts, clearing the measure to advance if voters approve the related funding referendum.
The Suffolk County Legislature on July 30 voted to advance Introductory Resolution 1569, a County Executive proposal to make required findings and issue an order to establish a Suffolk County Wastewater Management District under the State Water Quality Restoration Act (Chapter 58 of the Laws of 2023, as amended) and to merge existing county sewer districts.
Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey described the action as the final piece of a funding "puzzle" tied to a referendum that would create a long‑term mechanism for implementing sewer and improved on‑site wastewater (IA) systems across the county. "This is the last piece of the puzzle… it's going to continue the work that we started with — by placing on the referendum the funding source, the long-term funding source for — not only for our sewers but also for our IA systems throughout the County," McCaffrey said during floor remarks.
The resolution was moved by Legislator Jason Richberg and seconded on the floor; the clerk recorded the vote and the measure was approved. The resolution authorizes the Legislature to make the findings required under the State Water Quality Restoration Act and to proceed with the administrative steps that would allow county sewer districts to be consolidated into a single management district if a future referendum approves the funding mechanism.
Legislators debated the item briefly before the vote; proponents framed the measure as enabling large‑scale water‑quality investments and long‑term infrastructure planning. Opponents at committee stages have previously questioned cost allocation, local control and timing. The July 30 approval on the procedural motion does not itself impose assessments or spending; it issues the order and findings necessary under state law to place the funding question to voters and to proceed with district consolidation steps.
Next steps will include administrative filings and public notices consistent with the Water Quality Restoration Act and local law; if the referendum carries, the county would be authorized to proceed with capital projects and revenue mechanisms set out in the Act.
