New York Launches $3 Million Pilot Program to Help Cities Improve Sewer Systems Operations

5/16/2017

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos and Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Sabrina M. Ty have selected 10 municipalities to participate in the Municipal Sewage System Asset Management Program, a new $3 million pilot program to help improve sewer system operations. In the pilot, an engineering firm will work with each municipality free of charge to develop asset management planning to improve operations, management, and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants and sewage collection and conveyance systems.

“Governor Cuomo continues to invest in updating and upgrading New York’s water infrastructure to keep our communities healthy and economically vibrant,” said Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Seggos. “This pilot program is an example of the depth of the state’s investment. Municipalities will receive expert advice and assistance at no cost, allowing them to better manage resources and serve communities. A municipal sewage system that is properly functioning, well-maintained, and fiscally sustainable for the long-term will protect public health and safety, as well as the environment.”

The municipalities will work with the Department of Environmental Conservation, Environmental Facilities Corporation, and the engineering firm Barton & Loguidice to develop or enhance their municipal asset management plans. During the pilot, the municipalities will implement their plans and provide feedback.

The 10 municipalities selected to participate in the pilot program are:

Municipality	Facility Name
Town of Bethlehem	Dinmore Road Wastewater Treatment Plant
Village of Dolgeville	Dolgeville Wastewater Treatment Facility
Washington County Sewer District #2	Washington County Sewer District #2
Village of Greenport	Greenport Wastewater Treatment Plant
Village of Honeoye Falls	Village of Honeoye Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant
Town of Carmel	Carmel Sewer District (CSD) 4, 5, 6 and 7
Onondaga County Department of Water Environment Protection (OCDWEP)	Oak Orchard Wastewater Treatment Plant
Village of Vernon	Village of Vernon Wastewater Treatment Plant
Village of Westfield	Village of Westfield Water Pollution Control Facility
City of Yonkers	Sanitary Sewer System

The Department of Environmental Conservation solicited volunteers for the pilot program in late 2015 and more than 80 municipalities applied to participate. For the program, the agency chose 10 that represent a variety of wastewater systems in order to learn how asset management works in different places around the state.

The Department of Environmental Conservation will use the information gathered during the pilot program to finalize its Asset Management Program guidance. The guidance will then be released for public comment before finalization.

For more information, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/101419.html.