Southampton Village mayor outlines wastewater plan to reopen Main Street housing

Southampton Village Mayor Bill Manger told LTV in an interview that the village's central business district still relies on cesspools and septic systems and that a wastewater treatment system is needed to stop nitrogen and other effluent from entering Lake Agawam.

"It really is a problem that's been festering for a very, very long time," Manger said, describing recurring summer blue-green algae blooms that can be toxic to pets and people and attributing the problem to inadequate sewage treatment in the business district. He said a wastewater system would allow the village to clean effluent before it reaches groundwater, reopen second-story apartments currently closed by the county health authority, and create more workforce housing options in the village center.

Manger described examples of potential beneficiaries: a young teacher who could walk to the elementary school and a volunteer firefighter who needs affordable housing near town. He said the village has discussed the idea for years and that installing a treatment system could unlock apartments on Main Street that have remained empty because of health-department rules.

Any specific project would still require design, funding, and approval through the standard public-review and health-department processes, Manger said.

Next steps: The village will continue planning and outreach; funding and environmental approvals will be required before construction or apartment re-openings.