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Somers Board OKs formation of water district to address PFAS, approves $4M project plan
Summary
The Somers Town Board voted to establish a new Somers Water District to serve 17 parcels along Route 202, aiming to install public water infrastructure to address PFAS and other groundwater issues. Board members said funding—federal, congressional-directed and WQIP funds—brings the estimated project cost to about $4 million.
The Somers Town Board on Aug. 6 adopted resolutions to form a Somers Water District that will extend public water to 17 parcels along Route 202, after a presentation from consulting town engineer Steve Robbins.
Robbins told the board the district is intended to install public water infrastructure to serve commercial properties and a townhouse cluster experiencing groundwater contamination and other water-quality problems. "This district is being formed to install public water infrastructure to serve the commercial properties," he said, noting the parcels extend “between the Heritage Hills entrance and just beyond Scott Drive.” He later summarized an estimated project cost of about $4,000,000 and said the work is funded through a mix of New York State WQIP, congressional-directed funds and other emerging-contaminant programs.
The board closed the public hearing after no members of the public spoke on the item and approved, by roll-call vote, (1) a resolution making findings and determinations to establish the Somers Water District and (2) preliminary approval for establishment of Somers Water District No. 2. The supervisor announced the motions carried with votes recorded as "Aye." The board also discussed recent PFAS testing and regulatory shifts: Robbins said some local wells fall under New York State limits but could exceed a lower federal standard when it comes into effect, and that improved testing has detected lower concentrations than earlier sampling.
The votes advance the district to the administrative steps required for formation and for the town to proceed with design and procurement for the improvements. The presentation noted an optional informational session for affected parcel owners was held earlier in the week; Robbins said three owners attended and questions were addressed.
