Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine signed a bill Monday that would expand the Water Quality Restoration Fund through 2060.
Funding would go to improve the county's drinking water, treat ground water pollution and upgrade septic systems throughout Suffolk County.
"The most thing that the public has to know is this would allow us expand sewers. It also allows us to change 360,000 polluting cesspool systems all over Suffolk County," explained Adrienne Esposito, of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment.
If approved, an increase sales tax of one eighth percent would be imposed.
Suffolk County residents will vote on the referendum in November's general election.