Sen. Helming Delivers $27.5 Million to Safeguard Wayne-Finger Lakes Water

GENEVA – Senator Pam Helming today announced that she has secured $27.5 million to support 13 water infrastructure projects in the Wayne-Finger Lakes region. These projects are targeted toward protecting municipal and residential water supplies, improving wastewater treatment, and combating harmful algal blooms in the Finger Lakes. Senator Helming fought to ensure this funding would be included in this year’s New York State budget, and she fought just as hard to make sure it was delivered back to our region.

“The Finger Lakes have experienced significant amounts of harmful algal blooms in recent years. As we witnessed with Owasco Lake and more recently with Canandaigua Lake, these toxins threaten municipal water systems that many residents count on for their drinking water supply, and they pose serious dangers for local residents who draw their water directly from the lakes. They also hinder the recreational uses of the lakes that draw countless tourists to our region. Even before I became an elected official, my family and I were involved in water quality monitoring on Canandaigua Lake, and protecting our water remains a priority for all of us. As State Senator, I have made it one of my foremost priorities to preserve our Finger Lakes, protect our water supply, and address issues related to blue-green algae and harmful algal blooms. With this funding, my colleagues and I are reaffirming our commitment to supporting our communities in their mission to keep our lakes and our water as clean, clear, and pure as possible. I was proud to lead the fight to include this money in the state budget, and I am proud to bring it back to the Wayne-Finger Lakes region,” Senator Helming said.

The projects in the Finger Lakes receiving include:

• Village of Clyde, Wayne County – wastewater treatment plant improvements – $575,075
• Town of Farmington, Ontario County – Brickyard Road tank and transmission main improvements – $3,614,400
• Town of Geneva, Ontario County – water system capacity improvements – $2,862,236
• Village of Interlaken, Seneca County – storage and distribution improvements and flood remediation at well site – $3,000,000
• Village of Interlaken, Seneca County – wastewater treatment plant improvements – $1,227,250
• Town of Junius, Seneca County – extension of No. 3 water district – $736,800
• Ontario County – Honeoye Lake wastewater treatment plant improvements – $1,670,000
• Town of Ontario, Wayne County – wastewater treatment plant improvements – $1,250,000
• Village of Rushville, Ontario County – wastewater treatment plant improvements – $937,500
• Town of Walworth, Wayne County – water pollution control facility improvements – $594,125
• Wayne County – Western Wayne County Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant – $5,000,000
• Town of Webster, Monroe County – wastewater treatment plant improvements – $3,000,000
• Town of Williamson, Wayne County –wastewater treatment plant improvements – $3,000,000

Earlier this year, Senator Helming also announced funding to help the Owasco Watershed Lake Association purchase for water monitoring buoys to combat blue-green algae and to help Wells College and the Village of Aurora purchase a new water filtration system for their jointly owned and operated water plant. She secured a grant to help the Town of Geneva to establish the position of Seneca Lake Watershed Manager. She achieved a total of $500,000 for the Wayne County Water and Sewer Authority to construct a regional water storage facility and a regional wastewater treatment facility as well as $700,000 for the Town of Canandaigua to construct a water main and increase water pressure in several areas of the Town and surrounding communities.

Additionally, Senator Helming hosted a water quality roundtable discussion with Senator Tom O’Mara. Since taking office, Senator Helming has worked with groups such as OWLA, Cayuga Lake Watershed Network, Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association, Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council, Finger Lakes Institute, and others to support their efforts toward maintaining the water quality of the Finger Lakes. Senator Helming has attended their meetings and listened to the concerns, needs, and suggestions of the groups’ members. Living in the Finger Lakes region all of her adult life, Senator Helming is proud to lead the fight to ensure the best possible water quality for residents, businesses, communities, and visitors alike.