Water, Waste, and Willful Ignorance

If you’re looking for a real-world example of how long-term neglect turns basic needs into full-blown crises, look no further than Long Island’s water.

Dr. Christopher Gobler of Stony Brook University recently gave his annual “State of the Bays” lecture—and the results weren’t surprising, just alarming. Nitrogen levels are surging. Shellfish are disappearing. And once-thriving bays are turning into dead zones.

This isn’t some mystery. We know the cause: decades of overdevelopment without modernizing the septic systems that support it. Fertilizer runoff, outdated infrastructure, and political inaction have taken their toll. And while the science is crystal clear, the response has been a frustrating mix of delays, high costs, and bureaucratic back-patting.

Here’s what too many politicians won’t say plainly: Long Island sits on a sole-source aquifer. That means the same water we drink is the same water that seeps into our bays. When nitrogen leaks into the soil—from an old septic tank or chemically treated lawn—it doesn’t just hurt “the environment.” It hurts us.

According to Dr. Gobler’s research, nitrogen levels in our groundwater have risen more than 60% since the 20th century. Eelgrass and salt marshes—critical habitats—are down by 90%. Shellfish harvests, once the pride of Long Island’s economy, have collapsed. Last year saw a record 36 dead zones in our waters.

These aren’t just data points. These are consequences.

Last November, Suffolk County voters passed Proposition 2—a $4 billion initiative to modernize our septic systems. It’s a good start. But let’s be honest: voting to fix something doesn’t guarantee it gets fixed. Bureaucracy is quick to raise money and form committees. It’s much slower at producing real results.

If I have the honor of serving as your Legislator, I’ll be laser-focused on implementation, not ribbon-cuttings. We need real systems in real homes—especially those near sensitive waterways—and we need them working, not just installed for headlines.

Dr. Gobler highlighted several science-backed solutions: upgraded septic systems, shellfish restoration, seaweed aquaculture. These aren’t radical ideas—they’re working in places that take them seriously. But no program can replace personal responsibility.

That means we, as Long Islanders, have decisions to make. We can wait around for government to save the day, or we can act: replace aging septic tanks, reduce chemical runoff, and support initiatives that are based in science—not slogans.

People often ask, “Why didn’t anyone do anything?” I believe the better question is, “Why didn’t we?”

Clean water doesn’t come from campaign slogans or empty press conferences. It comes from science, maintenance, and accountability.

Let’s stop pretending we don’t know what’s wrong—and start fixing it.