There are calls to fix Nassau County’s sewers after sewer water spilled onto Barnes Avenue in Baldwin during Friday’s storm.
The “sanitary sewer overflow” was caused by an overwhelming amount of rainwater, according to a county spokesperson. The overflow happened at the low point of the Baldwin Interceptor, located on Barnes Avenue.
Legislator Debra Mulé (D-Freeport) says the 80-year-old sewer system needs to be replaced. She points to sinkholes that have recently opened in Lido Beach, Oceanside and Baldwin as evidence the infrastructure is failing.
The project would cost an estimated $1.5 billion.
A project was completed five years ago to divert 10 million gallons of water per day away from the Baldwin Interceptor. The project was paid for with funds from Superstorm Sandy.
The county is starting a study to identify and eliminate non-sewage inflow, such as storm water, from its pipes.