A funding proposal might be the key to putting an end to Greenport’s concerns over waterfront community Sandy Beach’s role in polluting local waters.

Sandy Beach, known for its views and heavily sought-after summer homes, has never had a sewer system, thus raising concerns over nitrogen pollution.

Greenport officials say that they have wanted to connect the houses and two neighboring marinas to the village's sewer system for years, but the cost was prohibitive.

Now Safe Harbor Marinas, which recently bought the two marinas, has offered to pick up the substantial fee of the project, which is expected to cost more than $1 million.

Currently, everything on the east side of the harbor uses cesspools. The project would build a pipe that would carry the waste across the water where it would go into a pumping station. It would then be pumped to the village's sewage treatment plant.

“It's been in the works for quite a few years and maybe now we're in the home stretch and getting something accomplished,” says Mayor George Hubbard.

The village has applied for a grant for the project and hopes it will be accepted with the marina's offer to contribute.