WADDINGTON — The Village of Waddington and St. Lawrence County, through the New York State Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative, will receive $11 million for construction of a wastewater collection and treatment facility.

The announcement came during a press conference in Waddington on Sept. 28 with representatives in attendance, ranging from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to Village Mayor Mike Zagrobelny.

"The latest REDI Project along the St. Lawrence River is the Wastewater Treatment and Storm Water Collection Plant in Waddington. It is a critical infrastructure project that will improve the sustainability of a growing community. This area along the River will benefit tremendously from $11 million in improvements to their Plant that sits adjacent to one of the premier water bodies in the County. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for her continued support of the REDI Initiatives that so many communities benefit from as they recover from damage and prepare for the future,” St. Lawrence County Chairman Bill Sheridan said.

Officials say that due to its proximity to the St. Lawrence River, “the wastewater treatment infrastructure is negatively impacted by high water levels and flooding, creating infiltration and inflow issues which are worsened by the lack of storm sewers in the Village of Waddington.”

The project will allow officials to update the aging infrastructure in compliance with current standards, allowing it to better protect public health and promote potential economic growth, officials say.

The project will also include flood resilience measures designed to reduce the impact of future high water, as was evidenced in 2019’s historic flooding of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

"I am pleased to see ground being broken on this effort to improve the Village of Waddington's wastewater collection and treatment facilities. Through this project, not only will infrastructure be more securely safeguarded from the elements, it will also be enhanced in a way that better protects public health. In addition, we all know solid, reliable infrastructure is key to economic activity and these types of improvements will help encourage development in the area,” Senator Patty Ritchie said.

The project will include replacement of existing, outdated unlined clay tile sewer main collection systems, construction of new storm sewers and catch basins, pump replacements and controls at all seven pump stations, along with a new, permanent emergency generator with automatic transfer switch at the main pump station and improvements to the treatment plant.

"As mayor of the Village of Waddington, I'm grateful to Governor Hochul and the REDI Commission for the vital help in securing Waddington's infrastructure for generations to come. The State's commitment allows the Village to proceed with Phase I of Waddington's Wastewater Treatment and Collection System, and Stormwater collection system upgrades. Much of the system is almost 100 years old and will make Waddington more resilient to changes in water levels in the St. Lawrence River while preserving the delicate balance between village infrastructure and natural habitat. I am particularly grateful to past and present Village Board members, Village Staff, local contractors, and NYS agencies for helping to make this project a reality,” Mayor Mike Zagrobelny said.