Water Contracts OK'd

Bedford officials gave their approval last week for contractors to begin work on the new water filtration plant. Though construction will likely not begin until late August, materials may be purchased beginning July 31, allowing contractors to get started while the town continues gathering the array of permits needed.

The $22 million plant will address the town's long-standing need to improve the water quality for the 7,000 customers in the Consolidated Water District. Rising nitrate levels in the water supply—possibly leaked from local septic tanks—prompted the project, which should be completed by the end of 2012.

"We've never had a real health issue, or any water quality violations, so we had the luxury of planning for the future," said Kevin Winn, Bedford's public works commissioner. When the plant is complete, residents will have their water delivered directly from the Delaware Water Aqueduct.

The massive project entails five separate contracts—including the building construction, electrical needs, plumbing, heating/cooling and the water main—and finalizing close to 30 regulatory and technical permits, before breaking ground.

"At this point, we are at a point with our design team where we can recommend starting," said Kevin Winn, Bedford's commissioner of public works, while noting some permits are still outstanding.

Approvals needed from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection include an irrevocable land use permit, technical approval of the project, and an easement which gives the town greater property rights, and satisfies the bonding entity, Environmental Facilities Corp., of the town's ability to use the land to build the plant.

While significant, Winn saw no major obstacles to obtaining them.

"We are taking their water, and it's complex and they hold a lot of cards in the discussion," he said.

Though final approval from the state comptroller and attorney general is pending, the contract with the Department of Corrections has also been signed—signifying a partnership whereby the DOC will become a water customer of the town and help to pay for the construction and annual operating costs. Under the agreement, the DOC will pay approximately 25 percent of the capital expenses, plus 30 percent of the operating costs.

The remaining funds needed will be borrowed from the Environmental Facilities Corporation. Once the easement and title to the land are in place, the town can draw down funds from EFC for the work. "If we authorize the work to start, we're also opening the checkbook," said Winn.

The town is still waiting on a wetlands permit from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and approval from the Department of Transportation for the entrance to the plant on Route 35 and for the placement of the water main under Route 22.

Annual costs for the water plant are estimated to be $4 million, including $2.4 million in operating costs and $1.6 million in debt service on the loan needed to build.

While authorizing the notice to proceed, the town board praised Winn's work, along with town engineer Jim Hahn, and the entire project team.

"This is an enormous project, probably the biggest Bedford has ever done, and had the potential to be fraught with potholes. Thank you for all you've done," said supervisor Lee Roberts.

Councilman Francis Corcoran acknowledged the cost savings Winn's engineering experience brought to the project, noting that "a project of this scale usually requires a separate manager."