Nitrogen-Removing Onsite Wastewater Treatment System

About

Most septic systems in Suffolk County discharge high levels of nitrogen, driving harmful algal blooms, shellfish closures, and rising nitrate in drinking water. Our system upgrades standard septic tanks into low-nitrogen treatment systems that consistently achieve <10mg/L — the gold standard.

By reusing existing infrastructure, we reduce costs and property disruption, making adoption more practical for homeowners.

Team

Thomas Varley (PI)
Dr. Stuart Waugh
Caitlin Asato Luke (Sn Research)
Luke Limbach (Research)

Why It Matters

• 360,000+ cesspools and septic systems in Suffolk County (major nitrogen source)
• Suffolk County public water among the top 5% for nitrate levels in the U.S.
• Current solutions require costly, disruptive full replacements, limiting adoption

How Might We

How might we retrofit existing septic systems to cost-effectively reduce nitrogen discharge, protect water quality, and minimize disruption for homeowners?

Elevator Pitch

A cost-effective system that upgrades standard septic tanks into low-nitrogen systems (<10mg/L), delivering better performance than current approved technologies with minimal property disruption.

Stage: Build

Full-Scale Prototype & Pilot
Demonstration
● Prototype in operation at Wastewater
Research & Innovation Facility (WRIF)
● Established relationships with
regulators, engineers, & contractors

How B&B Can Help

Beyond funding, we seek:
● Manufacturing support (scaling pods, 3D printing feasibility)
● Legal mentorship (developing warranties & compliance)
● Startup guidance (company formation, commercialization strategy)