- Keep everyone, including kids, pets and vehicles, well away from the spot. Don't stand at the edge to look in.
- If anyone falls in, call 911. Don't go in after them: the walls can keep collapsing and the air can be toxic.
- Rope it off, then call an installer: (631) 382-0773.
What failure looks like
| What you see | Likely cause | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Dip, crack or hole over the rings | Block or brick walls caving in | Keep clear, inspect now, replace |
| Sewage backing up into the house | Cesspool full and not draining | Pump-out to buy time, then evaluate |
| Wet, smelly ground over the cesspool | Overflow: the soil can't take more | Pump-out, evaluation, likely replacement |
| Pumping more than twice a year | Clogged soil or high groundwater | The system has effectively failed. Document it for the grant |
The money side
- Insurance rarely pays for an old cesspool failing. Check, but plan without it.
- Suffolk grant priority: a documented failure ranks first. Save receipts, photos and the installer's evaluation.
- Timing: the grant has to be issued before the new system goes in. If you can't wait, a conventional replacement can move faster, but it gets no grant money.
- Southampton: the Town says a collapsing system outside its priority areas may still qualify for its rebate. Call them.
Town grants and sewer districts
Whether a grant applies, how much, and whether you're even eligible (sewer districts are excluded) depends on your town. Start with yours:
Frequently asked questions
Can a cesspool collapse?
Yes. Many Long Island cesspools built before the late 1970s are cement block or brick, and those walls weaken until they cave in, especially in saturated soil. Collapses have trapped and killed people on Long Island, including in Huntington.
Does homeowners insurance cover a collapsed cesspool?
Usually not. Standard homeowners collapse coverage typically lists cesspools among items not covered unless the loss is a direct result of a building collapsing, and gradual failure from age or wear is excluded. Read your policy's collapse and exclusions sections and call your agent, but don't count on it.
Why is my cesspool backing up?
Usually because it can't drain: the soil around the rings is clogged, the groundwater is high (common near the bays after rain or at high tide), or a ring has partly collapsed. A pump-out buys time. If you need one more than a couple of times a year, the system has failed.
Does a failure help me get a grant?
In Suffolk, yes. Applications with a documented system failure are prioritized ahead of all others. Keep pumping receipts and photos. But the grant must be issued before installation, so talk to an installer about a temporary fix while it's processed.
Sources
Related services
- Cesspool Replacement: Replacing an old block, brick or ring cesspool with a code-compliant system, and deciding between a conventional septic and a grant-funded I/A system.
- I/A Nitrogen-Reducing Septic Systems: Innovative/alternative systems that cut nitrogen, the only kind Suffolk and Nassau grants pay for. How they work, what they cost to run, and who can install them.
- Cesspool to Septic Conversion: The conventional path: a septic tank ahead of leaching rings. When it makes sense, what it costs, and what it means for grants later.
- Cesspool Inspection for Home Sales: Buying or selling a house on a cesspool: what a real evaluation includes, what a dye test can't tell you, and how to negotiate a replacement.