Guide · Updated 2026-10-21
Can I replace my failed cesspool with another cesspool in Suffolk County?
Why this matters in Centereach and nearby towns
Most of Suffolk County isn't on public sewers. The County says nearly 70% of Suffolk homes use cesspools and septic systems, and a 2018 Health Department overview put the number of residences on on-site systems at about 360,000, roughly 250,000 of them cesspools. If you live in Centereach, Selden, Lake Grove or the surrounding hamlets, there's a good chance your house has one. Check your property records or ask a liquid-waste contractor to find out.
What the rule actually says
- Cesspools have been banned in new construction in Suffolk since 1973. Existing ones could still be replaced with another cesspool until the 2017 Article 6 amendments.
- From July 1, 2019, in-kind cesspool replacement ended. If you replace or retrofit an existing system, it must "substantially conform" to current standards. At minimum that's a septic tank + leaching structure.
- Filing is required. Replacements and retrofits have to be filed with or approved by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services (Office of Wastewater Management), normally by your contractor.
- The rule does not force an upgrade before failure. It applies when you decide the system needs replacing.
- Advanced I/A systems are required for some new construction and major expansions, under later Article 6 changes. They are not required for an ordinary cesspool replacement.
Signs your cesspool may be failing
- Several drains slow or backing up at once, especially the lowest ones
- Gurgling toilets when the washer or tub drains
- Sewage smell, or soggy, extra-green ground over the cesspool covers
- Needing pumping much more often than you used to
A plumber can camera the line between the house and the system to rule out a clogged or broken pipe. That's a cheaper fix, and worth confirming before you replace anything. Pumping and system replacement are done by licensed liquid-waste contractors.
Grants that can cut the cost
If you replace a cesspool or septic system with an Innovative/Alternative (I/A) nitrogen-reducing system, two programs can help (per Suffolk County's septic grants page):
- Suffolk County Septic Improvement Program (SIP): up to $20,000 per property if the project qualifies, paid directly to an installer on the County's Approved Installer List after installation.
- New York State Septic System Replacement Program (SSRP): up to 75% of eligible costs, capped at $25,000 per property. It can be paid to the installer or reimbursed to you.
Eligibility basics include an existing 1- or 2-family home (or single-family with one accessory apartment) on a cesspool or septic system, not connected to sewers or in a proposed sewer area, a valid Certificate of Occupancy, and current property taxes. Applications with a documented system failure are prioritized. Permit fees, engineering and design, and landscaping aren't covered. I/A systems need annual professional maintenance, and the County SIP grant funds the first three years.
What to ask before you sign
- Has the line been camera-inspected, so we know the system has failed and the pipe isn't just clogged?
- What will you install: a conventional septic tank + leaching pool, or an I/A system? Why?
- Will you file with the Suffolk County Health Department, and is a town or village permit needed too?
- Are you on the County's Approved Installer List (needed for SIP grants)?
- What does the written quote include: restoration, permits, design, pumping and abandonment of the old pool?
Sources
- Suffolk County Septic Improvement Program information: suffolkcountyny.gov/septicgrants (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
- SCDHS, "Overview of 2017 Article 6 Amendments Regarding the Elimination of In-kind Cesspool Replacement" (June 2018): PDF
- Suffolk County, "Suffolk Health Officials Outline Changes to Wastewater Practices to Take Effect on July 1, 2019": PDF
- Suffolk County Sanitary Code Article 6 (amended): PDF
- SCDHS Office of Wastewater Management: suffolkcountyny.gov, 631-852-5700
This is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules and grant amounts change; confirm with SCDHS and your town or village before you start work.
Common questions
Can I replace a cesspool with a cesspool in Suffolk County?
No. Since July 1, 2019, replacements must be at least a septic tank followed by a leaching structure, filed with the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.
Do I have to install an I/A system when my cesspool fails?
Not for an ordinary replacement of an existing home's system. The minimum is a conventional septic tank and leaching structure. I/A systems are optional there but can qualify for county and state grants.
How much are the Suffolk septic grants?
Per Suffolk County: the County SIP grant is up to $20,000 per qualifying property, and the NYS SSRP covers up to 75% of eligible costs, up to $25,000.
Who do I call first?
If drains are backing up, a plumber can camera the line to rule out a pipe blockage. If the system itself is full or failing, you need a licensed liquid-waste contractor.
Need help now?
Drains backing up? Send a quick request and we'll connect you with a local plumber who can camera the line and tell you whether it's the pipe or the system.
How this works: Centereach Plumber Connect is a free referral service, not a plumbing company. When you send a request, we connect you with an independent local plumber or contractor. We don't do the work ourselves, and we may be paid by the pros we refer. Always confirm the pro's Suffolk County license, insurance and a written price before work starts. Look up a Suffolk County license.