The Monroe County Water Authority is one step closer to building its Webster water plant.
The Department of Environmental Conservation has finished its review of the authority's proposed East Side Water Project and given it the go-ahead. The $80 million project includes a station in Webster that would pump Lake Ontario water to an inland water-treatment plant.
"The permit has been issued, and it's in the mail," Peter Lent, regional permit administrator for the DEC, said this afternoon.
The plant has been controversial, with some county Democrats and environmentalists worrying that it's unnecessary and could promote sprawl. Democrats especially are also worried that it could give the authority more leverage as it renegotiates a water sharing agreement with the city of Rochester. Some have speculated that the city may wind up turning over some or all of its water system, including the pristine Hemlock and Canadice Lakes
Water Authority officials say the plant is needed for backup purposes as well as to meet peak water demands. The authority's current service area stretches out to the Erie County border.
Comments for "DEVELOPMENT: DEC approves new Webster water plant" (1)
City Newspaper is not responsible for the content of these comments. City Newspaper reserves the right to remove comments at their discretion.
Don Nichols said on Jul. 13, 2008 at 11:43am
Why does the Monroe County Water Authority need to spend $80 million of our money for a new Webster water plant when there is a now idled water plant in Hamlin that was promptly closed when the Water Authority bought the Brockport Water System. Any updates required should be a lot less than $80 million and should handle any peak water demand requirements.
Leave A Comment
Respond on Your Blog
Create an Account
or
Login
If you have a City Account you can not only post comments, but you can also respond to articles in your own City Blog. It's just another way to make your voice heard.