County Executive Ed Romaine Applauds Passage of Historic Clean Water Bill

Suffolk County Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Proposition 2

HAUPPAUGE, NY – Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine applauded the passage of Proposition 2 as part of the Suffolk Water Quality Restoration Act to improve water quality and fund long term investments in clean water systems and technologies. The proposition passed with more than 71 percent of the vote.

“Clean water is essential to the long-term viability of our region. I applaud the voters for prioritizing the need to protect our bays and our drinking water,” said Romaine. “With the passage of this referendum, we will begin to lay the foundation to enhance sewer projects and clean water infrastructure in Suffolk County.” 

“With Prop 2’s overwhelming approval, Suffolk County can now embark on a long-term plan to expand and upgrade Suffolk’s aging wastewater infrastructure and establish a new, stable, and long-term funding source for wastewater improvement projects,” said Presiding Officer Kevin J. McCaffrey. “A yes vote was good science, good economics, and good sense. This is a proud moment for the County, and for my colleagues and the stakeholders who made it happen."

The Suffolk Water Quality Restoration Act was signed into law by the County Executive and approved by the Suffolk County Legislature and New York State earlier this year but was contingent on voter approval.

The bill will extend the existing one-quarter percent sales tax that funds water quality initiatives and establish a new one-eighth percent sales to modernize sewers and fund critical wastewater infrastructure in Suffolk County.

The funding mechanism goes into effect in March 2025 and is expected to generate $49 million in 2025. Funds will be available for use beginning in 2026.

The act is projected to generate nearly $3 billion in clean water infrastructure funds through 2060 with an even distribution towards sewer projects and Innovative and Alternative On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (I/A Systems).

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