With Otsego County suffering from an aging sewer system that jeopardizes regional economic growth and public and environmental health, today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced a plan to increase federal funding to help modernize the state’s deteriorating sewage system.

Schumer is concerned that with federal funding for improving sewer systems at an all-time low, financially-strapped counties in the Southern Tier will be hard pressed to upgrade their wastewater infrastructure, leaving them unable to accommodate new businesses interested in moving to the area.

With a smaller tax base and often a less dense population, the costs of replacing sewers and constructing buffers weigh heavily on already strained local budgets of smaller counties like Otsego. A 2002 study by the EPA estimates that every year, money available for municipal wastewater infrastructure falls $13 billion short of what states and local governments need.

"Unfortunately, over the past several decades the federal government has retreated from its responsibilities under the Clean Water Act, leaving Otsego County with a deteriorating sewer system that can stifle economic growth and pose as an environmental and public health hazard,” said Senator Schumer. “It’s high time the federal government upholds its end of the deal and work with state and local governments to maintain first-rate water treatment systems. Local residents shouldn’t be stuck footing the bill alone.”

Across the region, towns rely on sewer infrastructures that in many cases were originally built in the early 20th century and have had only modest upgrades. Today we are seeing the consequence with sewer systems either slowly deteriorating or unable to accommodate economic growth in the region.

The Otsego County region is already struggling with an outdated and overwhelmed sewer system. In 2006, there was substantial damage to a wastewater treatment plan in Oneonta following the June 2006 torrential flooding and it was forced to close for several days. The lower reservoir at the Oneonta plant is also in dire need of dredging to increase water supply—a costly but necessary improvement as the plant continues to age.

Nearby, the Richfield Springs Wastewater facility is under a Department of Environment and Conservation consent order and is unable to expand service without permission from the state agency. The consent order is due to the wastewater facility having ground water infiltration issues.

Finally, Cooperstown’s wastewater plant is also overwhelmed due to the large influx of tourists the region receives every summer. The town’s current system is unable to handle the spike in residents.

The economic impact caused by the state’s old sewer systems is serious. Towns across Otsego County and the Southern Tier are often left shouldering the financing of any improvements to their systems, making the costly price of replacing sewers and constructing buffers a major strain on local budgets. Furthermore, sewage overflows into residential neighborhoods can threaten property values.

The environmental and public health hazards posed by the aging sewer systems are just as troubling. Groundwater degradation has resulted as contaminants leak into the soil and waterways from failing treatment plants, pipes and septic tanks. Pathogens and viruses are released into waterways, affecting local wildlife and fisheries and threatening drinking water.

Compounding the financial problems associated with upgrading sewer systems across Otsego County and the Southern Tier is that the state has been starved of adequate federal funding to upgrade and repair its system. The state has seen its funding slashed in recent years. A 2002 study by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that every year, money available for municipal wastewater infrastructure falls $13 billion short of what states and local governments need in order to maintain working systems and protect the health of citizens and the environment.

Federal funding for wastewater infrastructure has decreased 55% since the passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972. With communities striving to meet new EPA guidelines, the need for federal funding is now greater than ever.

The American Society of Civil Engineers estimated that New York State has $20.42 billion in wastewater infrastructure needs. In rural areas, local residents are confronted with either financing a costly sewer system that would protect local lakes and rivers or opting for the less expensive septic system which could fail to adequately protect local waters from leaking sewage.

Some of the oldest sewage systems are concentrated in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions. Older cities and towns tend to have combined sewage systems (CSS), which are designed to collect and convey wastewater and storm water through a single pipe. These systems are designed to overflow during precipitation events (rain, snow, sleet, etc.) when capacity is exceeded. When this occurs, the system discharges directly to surface waters, resulting in a combined sewer overflow (CSO).

Many systems have multiple outfall points in which the system enters a stream, river, lake, etc. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 850 billion gallons of untreated waste and storm water are released via combined sewer overflows (CSO) annually.

In light of the drastic decline in federal funding for municipal sewage projects, Schumer today announced his plan for addressing New York’s crippled sewage infrastructure:

*Schumer sponsored legislation in the Senate, S.836 The Water Quality Investment Act of 2007, to increase federal grant funding for municipal sewage infrastructures by providing funding for upgrades of sewage treatment plans across the state. It has already passed the House.

*Schumer announced his support for H.R.720, the Water Quality Financing Act of 2007, which would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize appropriations for state water pollution control revolving funds. This is a $14 billion low interest loan program for wastewater infrastructure improvements. It was referred to Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works in March.

*Schumer will also send a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee urging increased funding for sewage projects, and specifically citing the precipitous drop in federal funding since the passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972.