MAYVILLE – Thousands of residents in northern Chautauqua County will soon be part of a multi-municipal water district. That after the Chautauqua County Legislature unanimously approved the formation of the North Chautauqua County Water District on Wednesday night.
The action came a public hearing on the district was held and project engineer Rick Henry from Clark Patterson Lee provided the details. Henry explained that the city of Dunkirk will supply the water to the district, which will cover approximately 50,000 acres and include areas in the towns of Portland, Pomfret, Dunkirk and Sheridan. He also said that only costumers connected to the district will pay for it. The water will be sold to the district from the city of Dunkirk at a rate of $3.57 for every 1000 gallons. The district will then add $1 to the rate and sell it to participating municipalities, which will then set their own final rates and sell to residents who are connected to the district.
County executive Vince Horrigan said the approval clears the way for bonding for the project, which is expected to cost $11.75 million – although some of the cost will be covered through state grants. Henry said that 90 cents of every 1000 gallons of water purchased by customers would go toward paying off the debt. Horrigan says borrowing for the project will likely take place in the spring of 2016.
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