New York governor kicks off construction on $11 million wastewater treatment project

(UC) — New York Governor Kathy Hochul has commenced construction on an $11 million wastewater collection and treatment facilities improvement project in St. Lawrence County, New York. The wastewater treatment collection system and treatment plant are owned and operated by the town of Waddington.

"In 2019, historic flooding along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River devastated the infrastructure and economies of communities throughout the region," Governor Hochul said. "By improving and strengthening the flood mitigation infrastructure through investments like the $11 million wastewater collection and treatment facility project announced today, we are not only protecting residents and property, but safeguarding the village's critical tourism industry and enhancing quality of life for future generations." 

Due to its proximity to the St. Lawrence River, the wastewater treatment infrastructure is negatively impacted by high water levels and flooding, creating infiltration and inflow issues which are worsened by the lack of storm sewers in Waddington. The project will bring the aging infrastructure in compliance with current standards, protecting public health and promoting potential economic growth.

Additionally, the project will implement flood resiliency measures designed to reduce the impact of future high water. 

The project will fund the replacement of an existing outdated unlined clay tile sewer main collection system with new mains and manholes to reduce ground water infiltration and inflow associated with high water levels.

It will also support the construction of new storm sewers and catch basins adequately sized to convey surface runoff and inflow from sump pumps, roof drains and area drains, to reduce unwanted storm flows into sanitary system.

Improvements to the treatment plant will include the replacement or repair of aging infrastructure designed to protect treatment process from flooding events. 

"I am pleased to see ground being broken on this effort to improve the village of Waddington's wastewater collection and treatment facilities,” State Senator Patty Ritchie said. “Through this project, not only will infrastructure be more securely safeguarded from the elements, it will also be enhanced in a way that better protects public health. In addition, we all know solid, reliable infrastructure is key to economic activity and these types of improvements will help encourage development in the area."

In response to the extended pattern of flooding along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, New York State established REDI to increase the resilience of shoreline communities and bolster economic development in the region.

Five REDI Regional Planning Committees, comprised of representatives from eight counties (Niagara and Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga and Oswego, and Jefferson and St. Lawrence) were established to identify local priorities, at-risk infrastructure and other assets, and public safety concerns. Through REDI, the state has committed up to $300 million to benefit communities and improve resiliency in flood prone regions along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.    

Since the creation of the State's REDI program in the Spring of 2019, 134 REDI funded local and regional projects are underway, including 51 projects in the design phase, 40 projects in the construction phase, and 43 projects completed. 

 

Related News

From Archive

• Most Read
• Most Commented