Regional Advocacy is Tough Sledding

The regional water and sewer survey results are in and there are some interesting observations you can make:

1. We have more water available and the ability to treat more water than our region needs now and perhaps into the foreseeable future. This water comes from three different sources - - a surface water system, wells and the Hudson River. The challenge is that we have some areas in our region that are NOT tied into the system and there are significant capital costs associated with maintaining these water sources, such as $13 million in dam repairs for the City and the construction of a new $3 million filtration plant by the Village of South Glens Falls.

2. We have two "regional" wastewater treatment facilities already in operation within Warren and Washington Counties. If usage is slightly reconfigured on a regional basis, these two facilities will also have unused capacity that might be of great value to other communities within the region that lack adequate sewer capacity. But yet again, the capital costs to upgrade the existing infrastructure and to lay new pipe is extraordinary - - $28 million+.

Knowing the opportunities and challenges is one thing. And everyone at a second regional summit last night can see how progress can be made via expanded cooperation and a shared solution. But how do you make progress when there are multiple communities, each with their own professionals running their departments and numerous elected officials representing various constituencies?

Last night, Councillor Jack Diamond repeatedly indicated the City will meet and talk to anyone about sharing water or sewer. Supervisor Dan Stec said the same particularly as it relates to its water resoures and sewer distribution system. Supervisors Jim Lindsay, of Kingsbury, and Gayle Hall, of Fort Ann, were equally vocal about their desire to establish or increase their ability to tie-in to the available regional systems.

Perhaps the key is to keep meeting. To keep meeting in public where we can see if progress is being made. We noticed that many of these elected officials after the meeting gathered together to talk. Some had to be introduced to one another perhaps for the first time or at least for the first time in an official capacity.

So that is what we will keep doing. We - - the business community - - will continue to make a public case for regional solutions. We will continue to help facilitate and host if we need to additional summits or town meetings to bring officials together to talk and to share ideas. We'd certainly love to see the creation of a regional water and sewer system that can provide the region with the most affordable, safe, abundant and redundant water and sewer system imaginable. Everyone wins if this outcome can be achieved.

By hosting this second summit and completing the survey, the ARCC within 30 days did what we said we were going to do. Now we're relying on the elected and appointed officials who have talked about a willingness to work together to do what they said they'd do. Let's see what progress can be made by them in the next 30 days.