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DPW reports reservoir at 94% as city advances water-line projects; PCB in soil delays tank cleanup
Summary
Middletown’s Department of Public Works reported a 94% reservoir level and updated the council on several water and capital projects, including a $3.5 million 24-inch water line design and an $8.5 million raw-water-line project; PCB contamination in soil at an old tank site is delaying cleanup and raising removal costs.
The city’s Department of Public Works told the council on July 1 that Middletown’s reservoir sits at about 94 percent but warned that recent rainfall has been limited and the department is preparing for continued dry conditions.
"The reservoir level, 94%. So, obviously, we haven't had too much rain," DPW Commissioner Jacob said during remarks to the Middletown City Council. "In 1 day, August 1, we got 3 and a half inches roughly of rain. Before that and after that is really nothing to speak of. So we're in good shape, very good shape, not just in good shape, but we're making preparation just in case things continue to remain dry as always."
Why it matters: Reservoir levels and water-system projects determine municipal water supply reliability and capital spending timelines. The DPW described multiple projects at different stages of design and construction that could affect service and budgets.
Key project updates - Traffic operations capital project: A $31,000,000 project is nearing completion, with an official completion date set for Aug. 31. Some traffic-control device installations are delayed because components remain in shipment. - Parking garage: Construction has started across from the Paramount Theater on Washington and South; coordination with Orange and Rockland is under way to relocate power lines before full contractor mobilization. - 24-inch water line design: The city is designing a 24-inch water line from the water-treatment plant along Monhagen Avenue and hopes to extend design up to Oliver Avenue; the speaker noted approximately $3.5 million is available for this phase and the design is about 60% complete. - Raw water line: A separate raw-water-line engineering report was approved by the Environmental Facilities Corporation; the DPW said the project is about $8.5 million and moving toward financial closing. - PCB contamination at Mountain Avenue tank site: Soil testing found polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) underneath an abandoned tank, and the department is seeking a contractor to remove contaminated material. The speaker estimated disposal and tipping costs near $400 per ton, calling the remediation "huge" for the budget. - Highland Avenue tank: T-Mobile moved antennas onto the tank using magnetic mounts rather than welds to avoid damaging the new paint system, the DPW reported; only removal of a temporary pole remains.
Process and constraints: The DPW noted equipment delivery timelines and environmental remediation requirements as factors that could push installation dates beyond project completion deadlines. The PCB finding in soil has created a procurement and cost challenge because hazardous material handling and transport require specialized contractors and tipping facilities.
Ending: DPW leadership indicated continued monitoring of reservoir levels and ongoing coordination with contractors and utilities as projects progress toward completion.
