Schuyler gets $500K for wastewater

Aug 30, 2016 at 11:26 pm by Observer-Review


Schuyler gets $500K for wastewater ADVERTISEMENT

Schuyler gets $500K for wastewater

MONTOUR FALLS (8/31/16)--Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) announced Monday, Aug. 29, that Montour Falls will receive a $500,000 federal grant and a $695,000 loan to assist with relocating and rehabilitating the wastewater collection systems for Montour Falls and Watkins Glen. This is part of continued efforts to redevelop the area from the Seneca Lake waterfront in Watkins Glen to the village of Montour Falls.
"This is a great step forward for the people, the economy and the environment of Schuyler County and everyone near Seneca Lake," Reed said. "We care about helping everyone call the region home for generations to come and by investing in our wastewater treatment systems we are making it easier to achieve that goal."
The project was originally developed in 2012 to encourage economic development and environmental preservation along Seneca Lake in Watkins Glen. Degraded infrastructure systems, including the wastewater treatment plants in both Watkins Glen and Montour Falls are causing environmental concerns in the region.
Montour Falls Mayor John King said they applied for this rural development grant around a year and a half ago, noting they originally asked for $750,000. He said this funding will go along with a $600,000 Community Development Block Grant the village previously received last year, noting it will all go to treat the village's inflow and infiltration problems. King said it would likely take another $4 million or $5 million to completely solve their inflow and infiltration issues, adding the village will likely apply for more in the future.
"This latest award is a testament to the value of partnerships to accomplish what was previously thought to be the impossible," Schuyler County Administrator Tim O'Hearn said. "The new regional wastewater treatment plant is the first phase of Project Seneca and will be the largest initiative in county history. The vision and tenacity of local leaders coupled with tremendous state and federal support have made this possible. Schuyler County is extremely grateful for Congressman Reed's support."
King said they would like to begin work on their wastewater improvements by the second quarter of 2017, adding they would like to get it all done before the joint wastewater treatment plant goes into service.
"We will continue working with local officials on these efforts. By combining our efforts we can get these projects across the finish line together," Reed concluded.

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