Rensselaerville Water District Receives Max Funding Award to Upgrade Water Treatment Plant, with the help of C.T. Male!
C.T. Male Associates (C.T. Male) was mentioned recently in a press release published by Rensselaerville Water District, noting the use of a Preliminary Engineering Report as drafted by engineers from C.T. Male in helping the Town obtain eligibility for a hardship grant and long-term financing, which in combination exceeds $2.5M.
See below for the release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2024
From: Rensselaerville Water District, Albany County
Re: Rensselaerville Water District Receives Max Funding Award to Upgrade Water Treatment Plant
Rensselaerville, NY: On November 1, 2024, the Town of Rensselaerville received notice of its eligibility for a New York State Base Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) hardship grant of $1,786,250 and interest-free financing of $765,536 for a term of up to 30 years — for a total of $2,551,786. The NYS Department of Health (DOH) letter to the Town’s Supervisor, The Honorable John Dolce, notes that funding follows a determination of hardship status, which opened the door to eligibility for the maximum grant and minimum loan percentages (70% and 30%, respectively) from NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC).
The determination of eligibility was based upon a June 2024 Water District submission to NYS DOH & EFC that contained a Preliminary Engineering Report drafted by engineers from CT Male Associates. The submission also included an EFC hardship status application based on a door-to-door income survey by G&G Consulting.
The Rensselaerville Town Board and Water District welcome this opportunity to implement much-needed upgrades to its drinking water system. Supervisor John Dolce stated, “This is exciting news! A lot of hard work by the Water / Sewer Committee volunteers, Town staff, and others went into organizing this effort and submitting everything on time.”
The Water District services 79 households. The water treatment system was built in 1942, and these dollars will enable the Water District to replace its system, including switching to a groundwater source with drilled wells, a new holding tank, a new filtration system, and a new pump station. Edwin Csukas, the Water & Sewer Committee chair, shared, “The grant award amount is the most the Town can get under state law for this project. We can finally act on the long overdue need to rebuild our system. We expect to engage a contractor in early 2025 and aim to complete the project by 2029.” Next steps are soliciting competitive bids for well testing and drilling, final design, and construction. The Water District is also working on an NYS Drinking Water Source Protection Program to develop high-priority protection methods and potential future funding sources.
The water system condition and concerns with its water source contributed to the Water District’s heightened efforts. The treatment plant and surface water source are increasingly inadequate at meeting Department of Health regulations and providing water during drought and other climate-related circumstances.
“We work with many small communities across the state to get financing; this award is one of the best offers we’ve seen. It’s inspiring and shows how well the team worked together to pull in support,” declared Patrick Lynch, JD, MPA, Program Manager, Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center.
The volunteer-run Water & Sewer Committee members include Edwin Csukas, Rebecca Platel, Christine Silvers, Gerard Wallace, and John van Schaik. The Committee is grateful for the assistance of Water Operator John Rice, Deputy Operator Ken Rypkema, the Rensselaerville Town Board and employees, Library and Volunteer Fire Department, Albany County Department of Health, Conkling Hall, Huyck Preserve, CT Male Associates, G&G Municipal Consulting, Sustainable Growth, and the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center. Special thanks to Senator Chuck Schumer, Congressman Paul Tonko, NYS legislators Neil Breslin and Pat Fahy, and their staff for continued support. For more information, contact [email protected], Edwin Csukas at 917-414-0892, or Jerrine Corallo at 518-364-8295.