Town guide · Putnam County
Nelsonville is its own village, tucked directly against Cold Spring's eastern edge in the Hudson Highlands — small enough that most guides lump it in with its neighbor, but its septic situation has one detail worth knowing on its own: Foundry Brook.
Like its neighbor Cold Spring, Nelsonville has municipal sewer service reaching part of its village core, with individual septic systems still serving many properties beyond that reach — especially toward the village's edges and up the hillside. If you're unsure which side of the line your property falls on, the Village of Nelsonville offices or Putnam County DOH (845-808-1390) can confirm.
Foundry Brook and its tributaries run through Nelsonville, Cold Spring and the rest of Philipstown, and the waterbody (EFC ID 1301-0177) is one of only six on Putnam County's eligible list for the state Septic Replacement Fund — a list the Environmental Facilities Corporation has closed to further additions. Homes within roughly 250 feet of the brook with a failing or likely-to-fail system can apply for reimbursement of 50% up to $10,000 (conventional replacement) or 75% up to $25,000 (enhanced system). Beyond 250 feet, the county has discretion to approve a system with reasonable potential to affect the brook. Full Putnam grant guide →
This is Hudson Highlands granite country — shallow depth to bedrock and steep grades are the two things most likely to complicate a leach field design on a Nelsonville lot, same as across the height of land in Cold Spring. Soil and percolation testing will drive the design, and small historic-village lots often push toward an engineered or enhanced system. Countywide rules apply here too: county-registered contractors, pumping every 3–5 years, MS4 data sheet on file with PCDOH.
Properties beyond the village sewer are generally on private wells as well, and New York is currently paying for free well testing across Putnam County. What the test covers and how to book it →
Services: Septic system design, installation, repair, drainage and excavation
Licensed septic installer, Putnam County DOH #1022 (valid 7/1/26–6/30/27). Family-owned since 1981; works with the Board of Health on system design and permits. Also holds Westchester County septic contractor licence #68.
Phone: (845) 736-0571 · Website
Services: Septic installation, repair, drain and leach field work, inspection; 24-hour emergency response
Licensed as East Coast Excavation Septic & Water LLC, Putnam County DOH #1325 and #1137 (valid 7/1/26–6/30/27). Also holds Westchester County septic contractor licences #43 and #44. Family-owned, operating since 2016, with 24-hour emergency service and a two-year warranty.
Phone: (914) 760-6343 · Website
Services: Licensed septic system installation; septic pumping
Licensed septic installer, Putnam County DOH #1007 (valid 7/1/26–6/30/27), and a permitted Putnam County septic hauler. Also holds Westchester County septic contractor and collector licences. Service area not yet confirmed with the contractor.
Phone: (845) 628-0166 ·
Services: Licensed septic system installation; septic pumping
Licensed septic installer, Putnam County DOH #1054 (valid 7/1/26–6/30/27), and a permitted Putnam County septic hauler. Also holds Westchester County septic contractor licence #118 and collector licences #134 and #136. Service area not yet confirmed with the contractor.
Phone: 845-832-3163 ·
Services: Licensed septic system installation
Licensed septic installer, Putnam County DOH #1304 (valid 7/1/26–6/30/27), and holds Westchester County septic contractor licence #693, valid to 31/12/2026 — currently licensed in both counties. Service area not yet confirmed with the contractor.
Phone: (914) 417-1429 ·
Services: Licensed septic system installation
Licensed septic installer, Putnam County DOH #1305 (valid 7/1/26–6/30/27). Also holds Westchester County septic contractor licence #553. Service area and full service list not yet confirmed with the contractor.
Phone: (347) 604-3219 ·
Services: Licensed septic system installation; excavation
Licensed septic installer, Putnam County DOH #1072 and #1071 (valid 7/1/26–6/30/27). Also holds Westchester County septic contractor licences #27 and #109. Service area not yet confirmed with the contractor.
Phone: (914) 242-1999 ·
Services: Licensed septic system installation; septic pumping; tree removal
Licensed septic installer, Putnam County DOH #1257 (valid 7/1/26–6/30/27), and a permitted Putnam County septic hauler. Also holds Westchester County septic contractor licence #612. Service area not yet confirmed with the contractor.
Phone: (845) 319-6626 ·
Services: Licensed septic system installation
Licensed septic installer, Putnam County DOH #1038 (valid 7/1/26–6/30/27). Service area and full service list not yet confirmed with the contractor. Not to be confused with Better Home Sewage of Hawthorne, a separate Westchester company with a similar name.
Services: Licensed septic system installation; septic pumping
Licensed septic installer, Putnam County DOH #1030 (valid 7/1/26–6/30/27), and a permitted Putnam County septic hauler. Service area not yet confirmed with the contractor.
Phone: (845) 226-5405 ·
Services: Licensed septic system installation; water and wastewater services
Licensed septic installer, Putnam County DOH #1042 (valid 7/1/26–6/30/27), and holds Westchester County septic contractor licence #436, valid to 30/04/2027 — currently licensed in both counties. Based in Stormville, Dutchess County.
Phone: (845) 878-9711 ·
Services: Licensed septic system installation; septic inspection
Licensed septic installer, Putnam County DOH #1296 (valid 7/1/26–6/30/27), and holds Westchester County septic contractor licence #691, valid to 31/12/2026 — currently licensed in both counties. Inspection specialists.
Phone: (914) 260-1596 ·
Services: Septic system design, installation, service/maintenance, inspections
Listed on Westchester County's registers as H.P. Barnes Inc. with septic contractor licences #681–#684, all valid to 31/12/2026, plus septic collector licences. Appears on the Putnam hauler dashboard; Putnam registration not yet independently confirmed. Septic experts since 1958.
Phone: (914) 666-2570 · Website
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