Living by the Sea: How Huntington’s Coastal Environment Creates Hidden Challenges for Your Cesspool System

Huntington, New York’s picturesque coastal location brings many benefits to residents – beautiful harbor views, maritime recreation, and that refreshing ocean breeze. However, this same coastal environment creates unique challenges for homeowners with cesspools and septic systems. Long Island’s conventional septic systems only function as designed when there is enough distance between the leaching pit and the ground water. In low-lying coastal areas septic systems are commonly considered “failing” when the ground water comes close to the leaching pit. Many septic systems can fail at once when rain or storm surges submerge septic systems and/or elevate the water table.

The High Water Table Challenge

One of the most significant issues facing Huntington homeowners is the area’s naturally high water table. A rising water table can make it hard for septic systems in coastal areas to properly drain and filter wastewater, leading to backups of waste into homes and contamination of soils and waterways. This problem is particularly acute during heavy rainfall or storm events when the high water table may saturate the drainfield. When this happens the waste water coming from the house cannot move through the septic system easily. Water may actually flow from the drainfield back into the septic tank.

The effects of climate change are making these issues worse. Sea level rise will reduce the volume of unsaturated soil available for wastewater treatment in coastal areas. The sea level in the Northeastern U.S. is projected to rise 90–120 cm by 2100, resulting in higher water tables in coastal regions as denser saltwater displaces lighter freshwater.

Salt Air Corrosion: The Silent System Killer

Beyond water table issues, Huntington’s salt air poses another serious threat to cesspool systems. Salt air can lead to corrosion and deterioration of outdoor plumbing fixtures and pipes due to its high saline content, which increases rusting and pitting in metals. As marine breezes carry tiny particles of salt from the ocean, these particles settle on metal pipes and fixtures, initiating a cascade of corrosion issues that impact your plumbing system.

The science behind this deterioration is straightforward but devastating. When salt air touches metal surfaces, an electrochemical reaction is triggered. Salt acts as a conductor, or electrolyte, allowing electrons to flow between metal and oxygen molecules more freely. This process accelerates the rusting of metals like iron or steel, leading to a much shorter lifespan for plumbing components than one might expect in a non-coastal environment. Research shows that metal structures located in coastal environments can corrode anywhere from five to ten times faster than those found inland. A study conducted by the University of Florida revealed alarming data: metal structures at beaches demonstrated corrosion rates of 0.5 mm/year compared to just 0.1 mm/year for those situated inland.

Regulatory Changes Adding Pressure

Making matters more complex, Suffolk County has implemented new regulations that affect cesspool replacements. On July 1, 2019, Suffolk County Department of Health Services implemented a change in the way homeowners are now permitted to replace their old cesspools. Prior to this new legislation, homeowners could replace a failing cesspool with a like-kind cesspool system. The new law now states that a failing cesspool must be replaced with a new system. These new high-tech septic systems will cost about $17,000 — double that of the old cesspools.

Warning Signs Your System Is Struggling

Huntington homeowners should watch for several key indicators that their cesspool is being affected by coastal conditions:

• Are your toilets taking longer to flush than usual? When you take a shower, are you standing in a pool of water? Is your kitchen sink always backed up?
• Do you catch the whiff of a pungent odor when you use the drains in your Huntington, NY home? Is there an obviously foul smell in your yard? There’s no mistaking the pungent aroma of raw sewage, and when a cesspool is close to overflowing or has already begun to back up, you’re almost guaranteed to notice that horrific smell.
• Thick, full, bright green grass is the desire of every homeowner; however, if you’ve noticed that the grass in your yard is inexplicably luscious and it’s confined to a specific location, you may have a cesspool problem on your hands. Once a septic tank is full or nearly full, wastewater can seep out of the tank and up into the drain field, quite literally fertilizing the grass. While small amounts of liquid do rise out of a healthy cesspool, when large amounts begin seeping out, the tank is full and needs to be pumped.

Solutions for Coastal Cesspool Challenges

Fortunately, there are several strategies to address these coastal challenges. This solution has proven successful in areas with high water tables, such as coastal regions. By raising the septic tank and leach field above the groundwater level, this solution provides a reliable method to overcome the challenges of high water tables. One example is the City of Miami, where elevated mound systems are widely employed due to the high water table associated with its coastal location.

For salt air corrosion, it’s essential to use corrosion-resistant materials like PVC or stainless steel for installations, regularly inspect and maintain plumbing systems, and apply protective coatings to vulnerable components to extend their lifespan.

Professional Help Is Essential

Given these complex challenges, working with a knowledgeable local cesspool service provider is crucial. When you need expert Cesspool Service Huntington, it’s important to choose a company that understands the unique coastal conditions affecting your system.

Antorino & Sons, a family-owned company serving Long Island for over 60 years, brings deep local expertise to these challenges. Local Knowledge: We understand the unique challenges of Long Island’s soil and water table. Their team uses advanced equipment and corrosion-resistant materials to ensure systems can withstand Huntington’s demanding coastal environment.

The combination of high water tables, salt air corrosion, and changing regulations makes professional maintenance more critical than ever for Huntington homeowners. Regular inspections, proper pumping schedules, and upgrades to more resilient systems can help protect your property investment while safeguarding the local environment. Don’t wait for a system failure – proactive maintenance is your best defense against the unique challenges of coastal living.