County holds public hearing and authorizes up to $35.59 million for Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer District extension

The Chautauqua County Legislature held a public hearing and advanced multiple approvals needed to pursue Phase 3 of the Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer District extension (Midway State Park through Point Chautauqua). Engineers from Square Engineering presented a study and preliminary financing plan; subsequent resolutions established SEQRA findings, created capital accounts, authorized grant applications and approved a bond authorization capped at $35,590,000.

Engineer presentation and purpose Matt Sarboin of Square Engineering described the district boundary along the lake’s northeast shore and said the project is driven by water‑quality goals tied to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) total maximum daily load (TMDL) requirements for phosphorus. Sarboin said privately owned wastewater plants and failing septic systems near the lake do not reliably remove phosphorus and that extending public sewers and routing sewage away from the lake body is the most effective compliance strategy.

Preliminary design and costs Square Engineering presented a preliminary design combining gravity sewers where topography allows and low‑pressure/pressurized systems with grinder pumps where required. The county was presented a maximum authorization figure of $35,590,000 (the figure includes a 25% contingency). The firm estimated operations & maintenance (O&M) charges comparable to the South and Center District at $354 per EDU per year; estimated annual capital debt per single‑family equivalent ranged from about $457 to $914 under scenarios assuming 50–75% grant funding. The county stated it would not advance the project unless a minimum of 50% grant funding is secured.

Connection costs and timeline Homeowners would generally bear the private connection cost (decommissioning existing septic tanks and connecting to new piping); the engineer estimated typical one‑time connection costs “generally” in the $5,000–$7,000 range, but said final costs will vary by property and that programs exist to assist low‑income and senior residents. The fastest feasible schedule outlined: secure funding in 2025; final design in 2026; earliest construction start in 2027; construction approximately 18 months once underway.

Legislative actions The legislature approved multiple related resolutions during the meeting, including SEQRA findings and determinations for the project, establishment of capital accounts, grant‑application authorization, and a bond authorization. Resolution 102 (bond authorization not to exceed $35,590,000) was adopted by roll call: 19 yes, 0 no.

What’s next County staff and the legislature will pursue grant programs administered by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation and DEC (including the Water Infrastructure Financing programs and potential Water Quality Improvement Program grants) and federal appropriations. If sufficient grant funding is obtained, the county will move to final design and property‑level coordination.