Legislature approves Sewer District plan for Harriman wastewater upgrades as residents raise cost and pollution concerns

The Orange County Legislature on Thursday approved a resolution authorizing proposed increases and facility improvements to Orange County Sewer District No. 1, a step tied to replacing and upgrading systems at the Harriman wastewater treatment plant.

The resolution, listed under agenda item 19 and moved by Legislators Tuohy and Totel, passed on a roll call vote of 17 ayes. Sponsors said the action advances engineering and grant applications intended to reduce the cost burden on district users.

During the public comment period, Maria May of Tuxedo urged the Legislature to delay or reconsider, saying the plant has a long history of failures and alleged operational problems. May told lawmakers that leaked documents and a 2023 audit she had seen show mechanical and aeration failures that released elevated levels of ammonia and other pollutants into the Ramapo River and that plant operators at times manually overrode dissolved‑oxygen set points. "What we know now is that an estimated cost of $170,000,000 will be needed to address the sewer issues," May said, adding that the proposed plan could mean a "yearly increase of $1,000 per unit to the residents of the Seward District."

Legislators responded during the agenda debate by describing ongoing grant‑seeking efforts. Minority Leader Paduc said consultants and county staff are applying for grants and that the amount of grant funding is not yet known. Legislator Manuda stated the team is "looking at somewhere around $60,000,000 in grants" that could reduce user costs. Legislator Tuohy clarified that the $1,000 per user per year figure is a worst‑case scenario if no grants are obtained; he said current users pay roughly $540–$550 per year and estimated that, with successful grants, an increase might be closer to $700 per year.

Sponsors said formal applications are near completion and will be submitted by May 30, with additional grant opportunities expected later in the summer. The resolution was advanced under county law procedures for sewer district improvements; the motion did not authorize specific rate increases at this meeting but approved the district plan and the administrative steps needed to pursue funding and design work.

The meeting record does not show specific grant program names, exact engineering schedules, or a detailed user‑rate model. Legislators and staff said grant awards and final engineering plans will determine the final cost to users.

No amendments were recorded on the floor. The resolution moves the district toward the next administrative and design steps; any future rate changes would be subject to follow‑up actions and notifications to district users.