REDI Commission-Awarded Project Includes New Sanitary Sewer, Expanding Service

Completion of New $1.2 Million Wastewater Pump Station Will Protect Public Health

Projects Selected as Part of Governor Cuomo's Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the start of construction of a $1.8-million resiliency project awarded to the town of Irondequoit, Monroe County, through the Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI). This project will mitigate adverse flooding impacts and help ensure continued, adequate sewage treatment and conveyance during high-water periods. Currently, homes on Bay Shore Boulevard along the western shore of Irondequoit Bay rely on individual, on-site septic systems for wastewater treatment. Because these homes are located directly on the shoreline approximately 15 feet below the roadway, during flood events leach fields become inundated which allows partially treated wastewater to flow directly to the bay. To mitigate flood impacts, a low-pressure sewer and conveyance system at the Bay Village Complex is being built to connect more than 30 homes to the new sanitary sewer. The new system will connect to an existing sanitary sewer system which flows to the Frank E. Van Lare Wastewater Treatment Facility in Rochester, which is owned and operated by Monroe County.

DEC Commissioner and REDI Co-Chair Basil Seggos said, “Helping New York’s coastal communities build back stronger and more resilient from repeated flood events is how the State sustains local economies and protects public safety. The critical project milestones announced today, prioritized by local leaders, are evidence of the State’s sustained commitment to the town of Irondequoit and communities all along Lake Ontario.”

In addition, DEC announced the completion of a $1.2 million resiliency project awarded to the town of Irondequoit in 2019. The Bay Village Wastewater Pump Station was identified as at risk due to its susceptibility to flooding and damage during high water events. Pumps at the wastewater pump station were undersized for wet weather flows that could have resulted in a sewage backup upstream or potentially into residents’ homes. In addition, the pump station was at the end of its useful design life, which made complete replacement necessary. This project included the complete replacement of the existing pump station and associated underground piping to service more than 120 condominiums, increasing pump capacity to accommodate for expansion of the sanitary sewer system.

New York State Secretary of State Rossana Rosado said, "New York is moving to build a more resilient state by investing in infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather. The projects implemented in the Town of Irondequoit will minimize the impacts of high-water events with critical, long-term improvements to the sewage systems along the bay. This important investment will help protect the health and safety of residents and visitors to ?Irondequoit Bay and Lake Ontario for years to come.”

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, " I applaud Governor Cuomo and the REDI Commission for continuing to invest in long-term solutions for the shoreline communities of Irondequoit Bay. New York State continues to set the bar for the implementation of environmentally-resilient investments that will protect communities for generations to come.”

State Senator Samra Brouk said, “As climate change continues to impact how and when waters can dramatically rise in our community, we must take steps to minimize disruptions to our homes, communities, and our environment. It’s critical that New York sees the importance of this work in our region, so that we can continue to keep the Irondequoit Bay and surrounding neighborhoods safe and beautiful. Whether it’s pumping out flood water or maintaining the integrity of our existing infrastructure so that they are less susceptible to flood-related damage, I support continued investments in this space.”

Assemblywoman Sarah Clark said, “Irondequoit is surrounded by water on three sides, so improving infrastructure along these waterways is critical for the health and safety of the community. The Bay Shore Boulevard Sewer project and the Bay Village Pump Station will safeguard the public from possible health issues that may arise from wastewater contamination in the event of flooding during storms and high-water levels on the bay. Residents will now be better protected from certain risks including bacteria leaching out of the septic system or sewage backup. Thank you to the New York State REDI Commission for your continued investment in our local infrastructure.”

Town of Irondequoit Commissioner of Public Works Robert Kiley said, “The investments made by the State to build back better ensures that Irondequoit residents are better prepared for the next flooding event. These investments not only improve our resiliency to flood waters, but also improve water quality ensuring all wastewater is properly treated.”

In response to the extended pattern of flooding along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, Governor Cuomo created REDI to increase the resilience of shoreline communities and bolster economic development in the region. Five REDI Regional Planning Committees, comprised of representatives from eight counties (Niagara and Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga and Oswego, and Jefferson and St. Lawrence) were established to identify local priorities, at-risk infrastructure and other assets, and public safety concerns. The REDI Commission allocated $20 million for homeowner assistance, $30 million to improve the resiliency of businesses, and $15 million toward a regional dredging effort that will benefit each of the eight counties in the REDI regions. The remaining $235 million has been allocated towards local and regional projects that advance and exemplify the REDI mission.

At Governor Cuomo’s direction, the REDI Commission toured areas hard hit by flooding on Lake Ontario and worked with local communities to come up with a new vision for the shoreline from both a point of view of resiliency and for economic development in order to build back better and stronger for the future.