East Setauket Residents: New Construction Could Compromise Groundwater

EAST SETAUKET, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Residents in East Setauket are upset over homes being constructed on vacant land.

As WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported, they are worried the cesspools attached to the homes may ruin the groundwater.

The land on Franklin Avenue, which was sold by the town of Brookhaven, is overgrown, but soon three 3,000-square-foot homes will be constructed.

Listen to East Setauket Residents: New Construction Could Compromise Groundwater

Civic leader Shawn Nuzzo said it is a protected groundwater area and the town code only allows for one or two homes there. The developer, however, received special permission to build three.

He said the cesspools could pollute the water.

"Our aquifer is dying a death of a thousand cuts," Nuzzo said. "Every cesspool we add that leaches wastewater directly into our groundwater is going to harm us in the long run."

A town spokesperson insisted the land is not in a protected area. The developer could not be reached for comment.