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Batavia reports Pearl Street water‑line replacement plan, notes $18.6M in grant awards toward $30M wastewater project
Summary
City Manager Rachael Tabelski reported a Pearl Street water main break prompting a planned $4.2M water‑line replacement; the City has $18.6M in grant awards (IMG $12M; WQIP $6.5M) toward a $30M wastewater upgrade and cautioned further analysis of grant interplay is needed.
City Manager Rachael Tabelski told the City Council on Feb. 9 that a water main break on Pearl Street was repaired by Public Works crews and that the City plans to pursue replacement of the entire water line as a $4.2 million project after experiencing 12 breaks in that area.
Tabelski said the City recently learned of a $6.5 million WQIP (Water Quality Improvement Project) award through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation that will support major Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades. Combined with a previously secured $12 million IMG grant, she said the City currently has $18.6 million toward an estimated $30 million wastewater project; she also noted an announcement of a $10 million county grant intended to assist with the water tower. Tabelski cautioned staff and Council that the City must examine how the different funding sources interact, saying it was not yet known whether accepting WQIP funds would affect other awards such as WIIA.
Separately, Council authorized a $50,000 EFC Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grant (EPG) to support engineering planning for infiltration and inflow improvements; the FY25/26 budget was amended to recognize the $50,000 award and include $60,000 for engineering/planning services with $10,000 appropriated from reserves. The capital projects resolution adopted by Council also included a $30 million wastewater program funded by IMG ($12M), a Town contribution (25% / $4.5M), sludge reserves ($3M) and EFC financing ($10.5M).
Tom Phelps (city staff) responded to a question about the use of liners, saying he believed liners were used only in sewer lines, not water. Council President Jankowski publicly thanked crews for their work repairing the Pearl Street break during extreme cold (reported at -22°F with windchill).
