Patchogue outlines multi‑phase sewer upgrade as new development increases demand

The village's Director of Wastewater Engineering told trustees that Patchogue's treatment plant is an 800,000‑gallons‑per‑day facility currently handling about 400,000 gpd, with roughly 200,000 gpd expected from projects already in the pipeline, leaving about 200,000 gpd of available capacity.

"Currently, your plant is 800,000 gallon day treatment plant right now that was upgraded in 2011...we're effectively adding the current projects from 25. So, we show all the galleries that are connected...your plant is 800,000 gallons plant running about half 400,000 gallons a day with the people that are connected now," the director said, summarizing system capacity and near‑term flows. He warned that new developments — including hotel and apartment projects on West Avenue and other planned builds — will quickly consume remaining capacity.

The presentation reviewed prior and recent grant funding used for connections: an Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) award the transcript records as $21 million for the original project and an additional $10 million in later support; staff reported earlier phases connected roughly 220 homes and a subsequent phase added about 90 homes. The director said phase‑one headworks and odor control work is under design, funded at about $5 million, and that a full system replacement to reach roughly 1.2 million gpd has a current construction estimate in the transcript of about $25 million.

Trustees heard that the village is largely design‑ready on multiple fronts but must secure substantial funding and regulatory approvals before construction. Officials described a possible timeline that sequences a near‑term construction start for the headworks/odor control work in late 2026 and longer‑lead work for the larger treatment upgrade in later years, contingent on funding and permits.

Board members thanked staff for explaining the technical details in lay terms and noted that having design work complete could help the village compete for state or county dollars. The board did not take a final funding vote at the meeting; staff said they will continue applying for grants and meeting with potential funders.