WADDINGTON, N.Y. — Construction has started on an $11 million wastewater collection and treatment facilities improvement project awarded to the Village of Waddington in St. Lawrence County.
The funding comes through the state’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI), the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday.
The wastewater treatment-collection system and treatment plant are owned and operated by the Village of Waddington.
Due to its proximity to the St. Lawrence River, the wastewater-treatment infrastructure is “negatively impacted” by high water levels and flooding, creating infiltration and inflow issues which are worsened by the lack of storm sewers in the Village of Waddington, per Hochul’s office.
The project will bring the aging infrastructure in compliance with current standards, protecting public health and “promoting potential economic growth.” Additionally, the project will implement flood-resiliency measures designed to reduce the impact of future high water.
About REDI
In response to the extended pattern of flooding along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, New York State established REDI to increase the resilience of shoreline communities and bolster economic development in the region.
The state established five REDI regional planning committees to identify local priorities, at-risk infrastructure and other assets, and public-safety concerns.
The committees are comprised of representatives from eight counties: Niagara Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga, Oswego, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence.
Through REDI, New York State has committed up to $300 million to benefit communities and improve resiliency in flood-prone regions along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
Since the creation of the REDI program in the spring of 2019, 134 REDI-funded local and regional projects are underway, including 51 projects in the design phase, 40 in the construction phase, and 43 completed.