United Water Sites Long-Term Water Supply Project in Town of Haverstraw

Last Updated on Monday, 02 February 2009 17:36 Written by Administrator Monday, 29 September 2008 14:05

Company also submits environmental permit applications and DEIS to state agencies

WEST NYACK, NY, 9/29/2008 2:05:17 PM – Officials from United Water New York today announced that the company will site its proposed water treatment plant in the Town of Haverstraw on a reclaimed portion of the Towns former landfill near the Hudson River. United Water conducted a thorough selection process based on engineering, environmental and community impacts.

We believe that this is the ideal location for constructing our new water treatment facility in Rockland County, said Michael J. Pointing, vice president and general manager of United Water. This facility will not only make use of environmentally-friendly technologies, but it will also provide a beneficial re-use of this long, unused property.

Concurrent to selecting a site for the project, United Water has successfully fulfilled its milestone commitment to submit all environmental permit applications by September 30, 2008, including a water supply permit and all other required environmental permit applications and a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).

Haverstraw site identified by United Water

United Water has already proposed to build a temporary pilot plant in Haverstraw to determine the best combination of treatments for delivering safe drinking water from the permanent facility. The proposed project would include a water intake pumping station that would draw water from the Hudson River and would be located on an unused piece of property owned by United States Gypsum.

Water would be piped inland to a permanent treatment plant on a reclaimed portion of the former landfill. There the water would be treated using state-of-the-art technology that would produce purified water to be sent to United Waters distribution system, while the wastewater and brine would be disposed of at the Haverstraw Joint Regional Sewage Treatment Plant.

We are encouraged that United Water has chosen locations in the Town of Haverstraw to host the water supply project and are pleased that U.S. Gypsum has acted as a good community partner by working with United Water, said Howard Phillips, the town supervisor. We will carefully review this proposal to determine its effect on town residents, including its potential to significantly boost our tax revenues.

One of the key benefits of the plant is that it can be expanded to keep pace with future demand, providing from 2.0 million gallons per day (mgd) to 7.5 mgd of safe drinking water. This is good news for our Rockland County customers, said Pointing. We believe United Waters Haverstraw Water Supply Project represents the best solution for providing a long-range supply of drinking water to Rockland County. This new project in Haverstraw would be less expensive, the supply would be more resilient and there would be fewer environmental impacts than other potential projects.

United Water has delayed the need for a long-term water supply project by instituting a comprehensive water conservation education program. Thanks to conservation-minded customers, the per capita usage of water in Rockland County is about 60 gallons a day, compared with roughly 90 gallons a day nationwide, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Nonetheless, as the County of Rockland and others have noted, conservation alone is no longer a viable solution for Rocklands growing water supply needs.

Company submits DEIS

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement has been submitted to the New York State Department of Public Service, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and other governmental agencies. It was prepared by United Water and leading engineering and environmental consulting firms in accordance with the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and details the companys plans to build the Haverstraw Water Supply Project. The SEQRA process provides for an examination of the environmental, social, and economic effects of a proposed action as well as opportunities for public review and input.

Once the document is considered adequate for public review, a Notice of Completion and request for public comment will be published by the lead agency. The publication of the Notice of Completion starts the public comment period.

We fully support an open and robust environmental impact review process with regulators, our customers and stakeholders, Pointing said. The process ensures that members of the public and all interested parties will have ample opportunity to submit comments to the lead agency. Following that review, a Final EIS is prepared that is used by the lead agency and other involved agencies in their decisions regarding the project.

New York State law requires United Water to provide a safe, reliable supply of drinking water to its customers in Rockland County. The requirement includes a New York State Public Service Commission order to develop a long-term water supply solution. The development of this supply and the filing of the DEIS comply with requirements in the order, which included a Joint Proposal.

Signatories to the Joint Proposal (United Water New York, New York State Public Service Commission staff, the County of Rockland, the Town of Ramapo, Rockland County Fire Chiefs Association, Assemblywoman (former Legislator) Ellen Jaffee and others) have agreed upon projected future demand requirements, the need for a long-term water supply and have set milestones for United Water to increase supply to keep pace with demand. To date, United Water has met all milestones under the Joint Proposal and has agreed to develop a long-term water supply project that will boost the companys supply by December 31, 2015.

We have met all the milestones to date, including the filing of necessary environmental permit applications and a Draft Environmental Impact Statement and are committed to complying with all terms of the Joint Proposal, said Pointing. We take these responsibilities seriously. The DEIS is available for review on United Waters Web site, www.unitedwater.com/hwsp. Electronic copies of building sketches and a map of the facilities are also available to the media. Contact Steve Goudsmith at 845-620-3317.

ABOUT UNITED WATER

United Water New York, founded in 1869 and based in West Nyack, New York, provides water and wastewater service to more than 270,000 people in parts of Rockland and Orange counties. More information about United Water New York is available at www.unitedwater.com/uwny. Its parent company, United Water, based in Harrington Park, NJ, provides water and wastewater services to more than 7 million people in 27 states through the dedication of its 2,000 employees. In addition to owning and operating 25 regulated utilities, United Water (www.unitedwater.com) operates 260 municipal systems through public-private partnerships and contract agreements including three of the nation''s largest water and wastewater contracts: Indianapolis, IN, Gary, IN and Jersey City, NJ. United Water is a subsidiary of SUEZ Environment.

CONTACT:
Steve Goudsmith
United Water
845.620.3317