Orange County to Hold Public Hearing Regarding $185 Million Sewer Plant Expansion

March 12, 2025 TruthUSA

The proposed upgrades aim to enhance the plant’s capacity, extend the lifespan of outdated infrastructure, and align the system with new state regulations.

On March 6, the Orange County Legislature approved plans for a public hearing regarding significant enhancements to the county sewer plant, which is projected to cost around $185 million.

Situated in Harriman, New York, the sewer plant currently serves the residents of nine municipalities in the southern region of the county, including Monroe, Blooming Grove, and Kiryas Joel.

The proposed upgrades, set for discussion during an in-person public hearing at the government center on March 24, will boost the plant’s capacity by 50% to nine million gallons of sewage per day, extend the lifespan of aging facilities, and ensure compliance with new state standards.

Orange County Attorney Richard Golden stated to The Epoch Times that the county sewer district is required to implement infrastructure improvements to maintain the system’s effectiveness and longevity, and that the associated costs will be covered by those who benefit from the plant.

A representative from Delaware Engineering noted at a previous advisory committee meeting that the $185 million figure was based on a worst-case scenario.

“Our objective is to be conservative,” said Mary Beth Bianconi, partner at the firm engaged by the county for the sewer project, indicating factors beyond control like inflation.

“We will be using value engineering to minimize costs, but at this stage, we must discuss the highest possible expenses,” she explained. “We prefer to overestimate now rather than underestimate and report a smaller figure later.”

The projected construction cost, assuming contractor bids are issued in 2028, is close to $168 million, along with $17 million in anticipated expenses for legal, engineering, and project management services.

Post-completion, the operation and maintenance expenses at the plant are expected to rise by nearly $1.4 million in the first year to accommodate increased treatment chemicals and sludge removal requirements.

For each single-family home within the sewer district, the expansion’s cost is projected to be approximately $1,063 annually—that is without considering any federal or state grants.

However, accounting for potential grants and low-interest loans, the yearly cost per household in the district could reduce to just under $877, with $562 attributed to construction and an additional $315 for operational and maintenance costs, as indicated by Bianconi.

Changes to rates for out-of-district users will be determined by local municipal boards.

“We are urging our consultants to expedite their work because several major grants must be applied for by May 30,” Orange County Legislature Chairman Kevin Hines told The Epoch Times. “These can substantially lower the cost of the project for individual households.”

Bianconi mentioned in the committee meeting that her firm is currently exploring four key grant sources: the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act, and the Water Quality Improvement Program.

“The forthcoming public hearing aims to gather public input on whether these improvements align with community interests,” Golden stated in his remarks.

The sewer expansion initiative has undergone a lengthy environmental review process mandated by the state and is currently in the design phase.

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