Speaker Series: What’s Next for Sewering

Join us on Friday, March 7 from 9-11 AM at the View in Oakdale for an insightful Speaker Series on the next steps in implementing Suffolk County’s Clean Water Plan with sewering and cesspools.

With the hugely successful passage of Prop #2 in November that provided funding in our wake, this discussion will focus on identifying priority areas for sewer expansion, reviewing existing plans to install sewers along the South Shore, and exploring homeowner grant opportunities for upgrading outdated cesspools with more efficient alternative systems.

We are honored to welcome:

• Jennifer Juengst, Deputy County Executive, who will provide an update on sewering efforts and infrastructure planning.
• Julia Priolo, Senior Environmental Analyst, Suffolk County Department of Health Services, who will share details on available grant programs to help homeowners transition to improved wastewater treatment systems.

This event is an opportunity to learn about the county’s clean water initiatives, ask questions, and understand how these changes will impact our communities. Join us as we work together for a cleaner, healthier Great South Bay.

✨ Special thanks to Lessing’s Hospitality Group for making this event possible.

Save the Great South Bay’s Speaker Series brings together scientists, educators, elected officials, environmental agencies and non-profits, and the general public as part of our ongoing work to encourage engagement and improvements in the health of the Bays.

Audience Q&A directly following presentation. Coffee and continental breakfast will be served.

Agenda

9:00-09:30 AM Networking over continental breakfast

9:30 -9:40 AM Welcome Remarks

9:40-10:20 AM Presentations with Q&A

10:20-10:55 AM 1:1 Audience engagement

10:55 AM Closing Remarks

11:00 AM Event Ends

Jennifer Juengst, Deputy County Executive for Administration, Suffolk County

Jennifer currently serves as the Deputy County Executive for Administration to County Executive, Edward P. Romaine.   She is charged with overseeing the ongoing implementation of numerous County sewer  projects, the cesspool and septic replacement program and the management of a new County Wastewater Management District for all county sewers.   Within the first 30 days of the new administration, Jennifer worked with state and county elected officials and forged an agreement seeking amendments to provisions of the state’s County Law known as the Water Quality Restoration Act.  Approved by the Governor, the legislation secured the public’s right to vote on a ballot measure at the general election in November 2024 whether to invest an additional 1/8 penny of sales tax and extend the current 1/4 penny sales tax program to create a new funding stream that will help Suffolk County make sewers and innovative alternative septic systems a reality.  The measured passed by a large majority.

In addition to this critical water quality work, Jennifer also represents the County Executive on other environmental matters such as coastal erosion; protection of the County’s bays, marshes, tidal areas and open space; development and infrastructure; offshore wind and solar energy and solid waste.

Jennifer is a graduate of Hofstra Law School and the State University of New York at Stony Brook.   She is a life-long resident of Suffolk County.

Julia Priolo, Senior Enviromental Analyst, Suffolk County Department of Health Services

Julia Priolo currently serves as a Principal Environmental Analyst in the Division of Environmental Quality, Office of Ecology, for the Suffolk County Department of Health Services. She is the supervisor of the Bureau of I/A OWTS where she oversees the approval and the long-term monitoring of innovative and alternative on-site wastewater treatment systems, and the implementation of the grant funding under the Septic Improvement Program. Julia received her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Master’s degree in Environmental Management from Stony Brook University.