Chautauqua County approves environmental review, bond measures to upgrade North Chautauqua Lake sewer plant

Mayville, N.Y. — The Chautauqua County Legislature on April 23 completed state environmental review and approved bond and capital measures to move forward with upgrades to the North Chautauqua Lake Sewer District wastewater treatment plant in Mayville.

Engineer Matt Sarbo of Square Engineering briefed the Legislature on a district evaluation that found the plant ‘‘at or over capacity for nearly every major unit process’’ and recommended a major upgrade to a more flexible treatment technology. After the presentation the Legislature adopted SEQRA findings, determinations, a capital account, authorized grant applications and approved bond resolutions to fund the work.

The study presented to the Legislature said the plant’s average daily flow is about 320,000 gallons per day (gpd) and that the plant has design ratings roughly in the 500,000–550,000 gpd range. Sarbo said the recorded maximum flow was 2,000,000 gpd but cautioned the flow meter caps out, meaning the true peak may be higher. He described a range of capital options: a modest in-kind upgrade estimated at about $3,750,000; retaining the existing RBC technology while expanding capacity at roughly $8,100,000; and converting to an activated sludge or similar advanced system at about $10,100,000. Sarbo said the study team recommended the larger, more flexible treatment system despite the higher initial cost because of limited site area and likely increasingly strict permit limits.

Sarbo told legislators the plant is still operating and ‘‘this does not mean the plant doesn't work’’ but that multiple unit processes lack the redundancy and capacity required by current design codes. He also described operational limitations: a solids-handling process that requires frequent liquid hauling of sludge to the Village of Westfield and an undersized influent pump station that strains operators during high-flow events.

The study assumed grant support of 50–75 percent when estimating user costs. Under a 50 percent grant scenario Sarbo projected an annual sewer-rate increase per user of roughly $60 to $121; combined with a separate county infiltration-and-inflow (I&I) reduction project (estimated to add about $76 per user annually), he estimated future annual user fees of about $676 to $737, depending on grant levels.

Sarbo identified a potential alternative not fully evaluated in the study: decommissioning the North plant and routing flows to the county’s South and Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer District plant if a future East Side sewer district is constructed and connected. He said that option could remove a discharge from the north end of the lake and consolidate treatment, but cautioned there are ‘‘significant unknowns’’ about whether the South plant and the collection system could accommodate very high peak flows and about the funding and timing for the East Side project. The county has applied for a small grant (about $50,000) to study that specific regional alternative, Sarbo said.

After the presentation the Legislature adopted several resolutions related to the project by voice vote and roll call where required: SEQRA findings and determinations, establishment of a capital account, authorization to apply for grants, and bond authorizations. An amendment by substitution to the bond resolution was moved by Legislator Fred Nelson and seconded by Legislator Jamie Gustafson; the amended bond authorization carried on roll call with 15 yes votes and 4 members absent. Later in the meeting the Legislature also adopted a separate bond authorization listed as Resolution 144-25 for $5,480,000 for the North Chautauqua Lake Sewer District; that resolution was recorded as adopted with 15 yes votes and 4 absent.

Legislator Tim Larson, who represents much of the north side of Jamestown, asked whether I&I work would materially reduce peak flows; Sarbo said private-side defects and basement sump connections limit potential reductions and estimated realistic I&I gains at roughly 10–15 percent unless extensive private-side remediation occurs. Sarbo advised the county to pursue grant funding now while keeping the process flexible in case a later regional strategy makes decommissioning or other options preferable.

The Legislature recorded and adopted the environmental review and capital and bond resolutions the same night, clearing the way for grant applications and subsequent design work. The engineer recommended procuring an influent flow meter capable of measuring the highest flows, replacing the maintenance pump station, upgrading biological treatment and solids handling, and reusing as much existing tankage and infrastructure as feasible to reduce costs.

The north plant serves Mayville and portions of the town of Chautauqua and discharges to a creek that flows into the north end of Chautauqua Lake. Sarbo emphasized the upgrades are intended to keep the plant viable under current permits and to provide modest capacity for planned development in the district, including new housing on Mandolin Ridge and service-area expansions by the town of Chautauqua.

The county also authorized staff to pursue available grants and established the capital account necessary to receive and manage state and federal funds for the project. Further engineering and design work will follow grant awards and the county’s procurement processes.

Resolution and motion details adopted related to the project are publicly recorded in the meeting minutes and include the SEQRA findings, determinations, capital-account establishment and two bond authorizations related to North Chautauqua Lake Sewer District infrastructure.