Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act that was passed last month, congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-2^nd District) was able to secure $2 million for the Oakdale sewer project.

Last July, then-Suffolk County executive Steve Bellone (D) and other local elected officials and stakeholders, held a press conference at the Snapper Inn, in Oakdale, to announce $25 million in awards from the Water Infrastructure Fund that would be utilized in advancing three sewer projects in the hopes of obtaining additional federal funding within the Town of Islip, specifically sites in Oakdale, Holbrook, and West Islip.

The $25 million included $20 million to help fund construction of Phase 1a and design of Phase 1b of the Oakdale/Connetquot River Sewer Project.

In total, the projects will connect more than 1,600 parcels to sewers, reducing nitrogen discharge into the Great South Bay by thousands of pounds per year.

Garbarino said, “This funding will be used to support Suffolk County’s long-term plan to eliminate 380,000 cesspools and septic systems that have been identified as the primary source of nitrogen pollution into local bays, harbors, and drinking water. By allowing the completion of this much needed project, those living in Oakdale will benefit from improved surface and groundwater quality and local fish, wildlife, and wetlands shall be supported by reducing the harmful environmental impacts of current waste collection infrastructure.”