From left, Chief Water Plant Operator Matt Durfee, New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen Coleman, Attica Mayor Nate Montford, state Department of Health Division of Environmental Health Protection Director Christine Westerman and LaBella Associates Project Manager Matt Higgins take part in the formal groundbreaking. Photo by Brian Quinn
Story by Brian Quinn
There is an aging water treatment plant to replace in the village of Attica at a cost of about $19 million and local and state leaders took the symbolic first step with a groundbreaking Wednesday. New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen Coleman said there is a $5 million state Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) grant.
“We’ve committed another $10 million through our partners at DOH (state Department of Health) through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund,” she said. “This low-cost financing and grant will help the village save significantly on any remaining project costs.”
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen Coleman talks about the effort to save the village money on project costs. Photo by Brian Quinn
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s final 2027 state budget includes a five-year, $3.75 billion commitment to water infrastructure. The amount to go to municipalities will increase each year by $250 million, Coleman said.
“Soon, we’ll be announcing another round of water infrastructure improvement grants. This is a perfect example of how we can put those dollars to use,” she said.
Coleman said the improvements to be made to the water treatment plant will help modernize the infrastructure, improve reliability and support the delivery of clean, high-quality drinking water for years to come.
The president and CEO talked about EFC’s mission as a public benefit corporation.
“We help to make critical infrastructure projects affordable for local communities,” Coleman said. “Our role is to help communities move forward with the investments they need, while reducing the financial burden on residents. That mission has never been more important than it is today.”
Village Mayor Nate Montford shares a few words during Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the $19 million water plant replacement project. Photo by Brian Quinn
Mayor Nate Montford said the project will help the village immensely.
“It’s going to provide even better quality water for years to come, with new technology,” he said. “Obviously, as we get older, demands become different through the Department of Health. This will keep us a lot more up to date with regulations. We have both Department of Corrections facilities (Wyoming Correctional and Attica Correctional) that we will be delivering quality water to as well. This is really big for our community.”Montford said the majority of the cost will be bonded.
Water Plant Chief Operator Matt Durfee speaks toward the end of the ceremony Wednesday. Photo by Brian Quinn
LaBella Associates Project Manager Matt Higgins, a civil engineer, said once the new plant is ready, it will serve people in the villages of Attica and Alexander, and the two correctional facilities.
“In late 2020, just a short time ago, the village recognized that there some deficiencies of the existing plant across the road. Deteriorating equipment made daily O&M (operations and maintenance) challenging for the operators,” he said. “The village embarked on this path that brings us here today and culminates with the construction phase of this project. Construction of the new facility represents a generational investment by the village in its future and the future of the region.”
Higgins recognized village Water Treatment Plant operators Matt Durfee and Cory Buchholz.
“Matt and Cory worked each day in service to the community to ensure that the existing facility continues to operate until it’s retired,” Higgins said.
State Department of Health Division of Environmental Health Protection Director Christine Westerman speaks about the department’s role. Photo by Brian Quinn