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Council approves CDM Smith study for Indigo-area water resource exploration
Summary
The council approved hiring CDM Smith to explore groundwater and reservoir options in the Indigo area, with initial funding from the Orange County IDA and matching contributions from the city and county for a study expected to evaluate feasibility amid regulatory uncertainty.
The Common Council voted to hire CDM Smith to perform exploratory work on a potential new water resource in the Indigo area, a project city officials described as "generational" and aimed at increasing regional water supply.
DPW Commissioner Jacob said the project team and county leaders secured $514,000 from the Orange County Industrial Development Agency to fund an initial study focused on groundwater exploration; the city and Orange County will each contribute $100,000 toward the study. The IDA’s commitment, he said, covers preliminary groundwater work because the IDA sought to limit its initial sponsorship to exploration rather than immediate surface‑water reservoir construction, which may face extensive Environmental Conservation (DEC) review.
Commissioner Jacob described the proposal as including both groundwater exploration and potential surface‑water reservoir options if regulatory and environmental review make a reservoir feasible. He said the city has been buying watershed property to protect water quality and reported no measurable PFAS detections to date.
Council sponsor Alderman Witt introduced the resolution; the roll call showed unanimous approval. Commissioner Jacob said the study would be followed, if feasible, by meetings with DEC and additional funding rounds; he characterized the project as intended to serve Middletown and adjacent communities for generations.
Why it matters: The study is the first formal step toward increasing regional water supply capacity. The feasibility work and regulatory review will determine whether the project proceeds to design and construction and what costs might be required of the city, county or other partners.
