Protecting Moriches Bay’s Pristine Waters: The Critical Role of Proper Cesspool Maintenance in Coastal Environmental Preservation

Nestled between the Great South Bay and Shinnecock Bay on Long Island’s South Shore, Moriches Bay spans roughly 9,480 acres and once provided a thriving habitat for shellfish, fish, aquatic vegetation, rare plants, and animals. However, this fragile marine environment faces significant environmental challenges that threaten both its ecological health and the coastal communities that depend on it. The expansion of marina facilities, increased recreational fishing pressure, and water quality degradation from road runoff, septic systems, and duck farm wastes is negatively impacting the Moriches Bay ecosystem.

The Hidden Threat: How Cesspools Impact Coastal Water Quality

Nitrogen pollution from cesspools and septic systems has been identified as a leading cause of degraded surface water quality on Long Island, contributing to restrictions on shellfishing, toxic algae blooms, and massive fish kills. Conventional septic systems and cesspools are not designed to remove nitrogen. As a result, nitrogen in sewage easily seeps into the ground, then to groundwater, and ultimately to our bays and harbors where they can lead to excess nitrogen.

The environmental consequences are severe. Too much nitrogen can lead to algae blooms (some of which are toxic to humans) which, when these blooms die off, can deplete the bay of oxygen needed by fish and other marine life. In addition, excess nitrogen can lead to the loss of wetland marshes as their roots become too shallow to withstand storms and other disturbance.

For coastal areas like Moriches Bay, the situation is particularly critical. 1 meter of sea-level rise is expected to expand the reach of areas flooded from below by approximately 50 to 130 meters inland, with low-lying coastal communities most at risk. For cesspools, elevation of the water table associated with sea level rise means more contaminants, nutrients, and disease-causing pathogens will enter water sources that are also used for drinking water, for recreation and by wildlife.

The Frequency Factor: Why Regular Pumping Matters

Understanding the proper maintenance schedule for cesspools is crucial for environmental protection. It’s advised to contact a septic pumping company to regularly clean out the cesspool, at least every six weeks, for a residential property that is always occupied. However, each cesspool will differ in frequency and can range from once a month to once every three months. Most cesspools require pumping every 2-3 years, depending on household size and usage.

One of the problems with cesspools is that the collected waste can leach through the brick or concrete holding tank into the ground, contaminating the soil and the groundwater. While this environmental impact is lessened with small, single-home cesspools, it is a significant hazard with large-capacity cesspools.

Moriches Bay’s Environmental Recovery Efforts

Recognizing the urgent need for environmental restoration, the Moriches Bay Project is dedicated to reestablishing populations of shellfish and eelgrass to this fragile marine environment. Through stewardship, partnership, and community awareness, the Moriches Bay Project hopes to make long-term improvements to the bay and empower the community with knowledge to counteract local environmental problems.

The project’s innovative approach includes oyster restoration. Each little oyster can filter 50 gallons of water every day. Our only goal is to improve the water quality in our bays. This year’s planting took place on Sept. 18, and was a huge success; up to 550,000 oysters of the season’s 700,000 grown were distributed throughout Moriches Bay and other southern bays.

However, these restoration efforts can only be successful if the underlying sources of pollution are addressed. The main contributor is just individual sanitary systems, which have been around for a long time, and a lot of them are antiquated and need to be changed out and improved. We just have a lot of nitrogen coming from these septic systems going into the bay and causing these algae blooms that you see.

Professional Cesspool Services: A Local Solution

For residents in the Moriches area seeking reliable cesspool pumping moriches services, choosing an experienced, family-owned company makes all the difference. Antorino & Sons is a family-owned and operated cesspool company serving Long Island. We’re not just about fixing cesspools; we’re about building relationships with our customers and providing solutions that last.

With more than 60 years of experience providing area homeowners with high-quality results at affordable prices, Antorino and Sons has established themselves as one of the most reputable septic service providers in the Suffolk County area. The company understands the unique challenges of cesspool systems in the area’s sandy soil conditions, and has built their reputation on straight talk, fair pricing, and getting the job done right the first time.

The Path Forward: Sustainable Coastal Living

Protecting Moriches Bay requires a comprehensive approach that combines individual responsibility with community action. A study on nitrogen loading to Great South Bay estimates that roughly 70% of nitrogen pollution originates from cesspools and septic systems, entering the bay via groundwater. This statistic underscores the critical importance of proper cesspool maintenance for every coastal property owner.

IA OWTS systems have been shown to remove up to 90% of the nitrogen that leads to these problems, offering hope for significant environmental improvement. Meanwhile, regular pumping and maintenance of existing systems remain essential interim measures.

The future of Moriches Bay depends on the collective actions of its coastal communities. By partnering with experienced professionals for regular cesspool maintenance, supporting environmental restoration projects, and staying informed about water quality issues, residents can play a vital role in preserving this precious marine ecosystem for future generations. The mission is to improve the quality of the water in Moriches Bay and turn it back to its natural state of health, and every properly maintained cesspool contributes to this essential goal.