BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA --  The village of Massena is undertaking a State Environmental Quality Review that will help the village improve and expand the water system.

The village will work as the lead agency for the SEQR to conduct the environmental review of the water system improvement project, which will create "redundant water supply."

Mayor Greg Paquin said part of the project would include new water lines that will ensure people in the town and the Air Products green hydrogen facility would have a steady supply of water.

Other projects would likely include water treatment facility improvements, including new pumps, as well as a replacement water tower on Bowers Street.

Paquin previously said the water tower was showing signs of aging and would need repair or replacement in the next five to 10 years.

In response to the need to improve the water treatment facility, Paquin said it was a matter of future proofing the village.

“As we start working with Air Products, one of the concerns, and I use the term concern, is we do have a water line that feeds to the water treatment plant. What this project would do is it would create a redundant line in case of emergencies. It’s also going to help to allow for expansion out of town as the town starts to create more water districts or enlarge water districts,” he said.

Another reason officials want to create a redundant water line is in the event Alcoa were to conduct maintenance at the intake, forcing them to shut off the water supply to do so.

Paquin said that could pose serious problems for the village and residents as well.

With the village now taking steps to be the lead agency for the SEQR, officials can move forward with a grant application that is due to the state by June 14, he said.

LaBella Associates D.P.C. will prepare Part 1 of the Environmental Assessment Form for the project, officials say.

Paquin also said the village has had discussions with Air Products Director of Large Business Development Harry Johnston about Air Products assisting with the planned upgrades and enhancements. Part of that discussion also revolved around assisting with grants, he said.

As part of a deal with the village, Air Products will purchase $300,000 worth of water each year from the village.

Paquin said that purchase will not affect residential water supply, however officials say they want to upgrade the water pumps at the water treatment facility to ensure a steady supply.

Air Products officials say the facility being built on Pontoon Bridge Road will utilize 1 to 1.2 million gallons of water per day to produce green hydrogen that will be used in vehicles.

The $500 million project will be built on 84.4 acres of land and should come online sometime in the first quarter of 2027.