Rochester plans $8.78M water project

ROCHESTER — City councilors are seeking public input on a massive $8.78 million project that would fix a whole host of issues related to drinking water contamination and access along Route 202A.

“It’s a huge project,” said Deputy Mayor Ray Varney. “Those folks living off 202A, no matter what they do, they really cannot make their well water any better than it is now. I think they certainly deserve to have city water, and I think we can do it within the means of the city and the ratepayers.”

City councilors will hold a public hearing on the project during its meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2.

The proposed project would extend Rochester’s water main to various neighborhoods and parcels off Route 202A, as well as address water pressure issues on the west side of the city.

Well water testing in that area has revealed excessive levels of iron, manganese and more.

The project has several funding sources, including a $3.8 million grant and a $1.29 million loan from the state’s Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund.

During a September Public Works Committee meeting, several Winkley Farm Lane residents showed images of ruined tubs, pools, clothing, unsuccessful filters and other items while thanking the city for pursuing grants for the Route 202A water project.

At the same meeting, Tom Willis, an engineer with the state Department of Environmental Services and a former Rochester city councilor, implored the city to take the project “seriously.” He claimed the city has an unfortunate history of refusing state funding or waiting too long to act on it.

“I implore you as a resident not to pussyfoot around with this,” Willis said, pointing out that the issue was severe enough that Rochester’s was given more Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund money than any of the 18 other communities awarded funding last year. “This is important.”