June 4, 2010

Recovery Bill Funding Makes Project First Proposed 40 Years Ago Possible

Once Completed Will Provide More than 150 Homes and Businesses with Safe, Clean Drinking Water

Fayette, NY - Today, U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri (NY-24) joined more than 20 Seneca County officials at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Hamlet of Fayette Water Improvement Project held near the Fayette Fire Hall.  The $2.8 million project, proposed more than 40 years ago, was made possible by an $849,700 grant and $1,414,000 loan through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Bill).

"Many of our rural communities simply do not have access to the funding necessary to make desperately needed improvements to their aging water infrastructure," said Arcuri. "Today is a great example of how the Recovery Bill is helping to rebuild our region by investing millions of dollars to help a community like Fayette break ground on a project that has stalled because of a lack of funding for more than 40 years.

"This groundbreaking is 42 years in the making and would not have happened without the Recovery Bill," said Town of Varick Supervisor Robert Hayssen. "Once this project is completed, residents and businesses will have access to a reliable supply of safe, clean drinking water, which will lead to economic development in this area."

"After many years the goal has now been reached," said Town of Fayette Supervisor Cindy Garlick-Lorenzetti. "The Town of Fayette wishes to extend a warm thank you to Congressman Arcuri and the USDA for providing this much needed Recovery Bill funding so that we can begin work on the Fayette-Varick water project."

Currently, residents and businesses located in the Hamlet of Fayette rely on private, individual groundwater wells to meet their water needs.  The wells are reported to yield water of poor quantity and quality.  This project will include the installation of more than 10 miles of water main to connect upwards of 150 homes and businesses in the Towns of Fayette and Varick to safe, clean drinking water.  The water will be supplied by the Village of Waterloo's water treatment plant via a connection at the water tower on the Hillside Children's Center property on the former Seneca Army Depot in Varick.

This Recovery Bill funding was administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Developments Water and Environmental Program, which provides loans and grants to ensure that necessary investments are made in water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment in rural areas.