Letter to Tom Vilsack, Secretary U.S. Department of Agriculture

Letter

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced a new effort to bring clean drinking water to hundreds of Madison County residents who currently do not have access to drinkable water. Nearly 300 households with hundreds of residents near Lenox currently only have access to bacteria-laden wells, leaving the drinking water unsafe for human consumption. Residents are forced to buy bottled water or boil any water they take from the wells. To combat the problem, Schumer called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help finance the construction of a ten mile water pipeline to deliver clean water to Lenox residents via the Onondaga County Water Authority. Loans and grants from USDA's Water and Environmental program could be applied to alleviate the cost to ratepayers and local taxpayers. A new line would improve water quality and pressure, and also ensure that firefighters have access to the water they need to fight area fires. The water supply for approximately half of the homes on the proposed pipeline have tested positive for bacteria, creating a serious public safety risk.

"In this day and age, it's absolutely appalling that Upstate New Yorkers are left without a drinkable water supply," said Schumer. "Clean water infrastructure is absolutely essential for the health of our residents and the health of our Upstate communities -- USDA should step up to the plate and get this pipeline built as soon as possible. The people of Lenox shouldn't be forced to boil their water or spend hundreds on bottled water each month. Clean water is a basic right, and I'm not going to rest until this pipeline is built and these residents have access to the clean, safe drinking water that they deserve."

Schumer was joined by Lenox residents who would be served by the new pipeline, as well as representatives from the Onondaga County Water Authority, Lenox Supervisor Rocco Devironica and Madison County Legislature Chairman John Becker. The town of Lenox has spent approximately $200,000 to design and plan for the new pipeline, which is expected to ultimately cost approximately $3.5 million to build and install. The plan calls for a new pipeline, running from Onondaga County's Water Authority to the town of Lenox, serving nearly 300 homes that currently do not have reliable access to safe and clean drinking water. In order to alleviate the impact on ratepayers and local property taxpayers, Schumer is asking the Department of Agriculture to provide funding, in the form of loans and grants, to help start construction by the end of the year.

Schumer's push for federal assistance for the project comes after a constant stream of complaints to the Madison County Health Department regarding the quality of water coming from Lenox-area wells. These wells were constructed before modern-day safety and health standards, and many have fallen into a state of disrepair. A recent sampling of the area wells found that half of the homes near the proposed water line are receiving their water from wells infected with coliform and other bacteria. Coliform is known as an "indicator bacteria" that often alerts health officials to the strong possibility that numerous pathogens are present in a sample, possibly creating a serious health risk.

In light of these health concerns, Schumer is urging Secretary Vilsack to quickly approve the Town of Lenox's request for federal assistance to construct the pipeline. In his letter, Schumer writes, "as your agency begins its review of Madison County's water main extension plan, I ask for your full consideration as it relates to a substantial funding award towards the project. No American should be without clean drinking water. Funding this project will showcase your agency's commitment to public health and regional infrastructure."

A copy of Senator Schumer's letter to Agriculture Secretary Vilsack appears below:

February 20, 2012

Tom Vilsack, Secretary

U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20250

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

I write today in support of an important project in the Town of Lenox, located in Madison County. The project, referred to locally as Water District No 12, seeks to extend public water service to nearly 300 homes in an area that has never had adequate access to a municipal water supply. Extended service to this area of the county would vastly improve the quality of life for many families while also allowing the county to meet the drinking water standards mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The county's proposed water main extension plan would allow for the delivery of water to Lenox via the Onondaga County Water Authority, a neighboring authority equipped and able to serve its neighbor. The Onondaga County Water Authority has said it can accommodate the Town of Lenox and that this project would also enhance water pressure, improving flow throughout an even wider service area. This project would also improve fire protection capabilities for hundreds of homeowners.

More importantly, the Madison County Health Department has received numerous complaints related to individual wells serving the area. Homeowners are subject to drought conditions and overall poor water quality. The current wells were installed prior to the enactment of individual well construction standards and are posing a public health risk. In fact, a random sampling of wells concluded that over 50% of the homes along the project route were laden with bacteria, often coliform.

In light of the public health concerns caused by the unacceptable water quality and the strong regional commitment to this project, I am requesting that your agency assist in funding Madison County's Town of Lenox water main extension plan. The county has made project changes in hopes of securing a USDA award and my hope is that your agency can financially support this project with enough capital to address the aforementioned issues.

Again, as your agency begins its review of Madison County's water main extension plan, I ask for your full consideration as it relates to a substantial funding award towards the project. No American should be without clean drinking water. Funding this project will showcase your agency's commitment to public health and regional infrastructure. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information as it relates to this project.

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