BY ADAM ATKINSONNorth Country This Week

POTSDAM — The village is once again attempting to secure state funding for a major $18.9 million overhaul of its water treatment facility and two tanks, and again approved a bond resolution for the work to help offset the cost.  

At its July 20 meeting the Village of Potsdam Board of Trustees approved a series of resolutions advancing the project to modernize the village's water treatment plant and storage facilities while seeking state grants to help offset construction costs.

The actions taken by the board at their July 20 meeting mirror resolutions approved for the project in September 2025. However, the village was unable to secure state grant funding for the work that year so the project was delayed.   

“For context, this is very similar to what we passed this time last year in order to apply for a WIIA (Water Infrastructure Improvement Act) grant,” David Thurlow, village economic planner, told the board of trustees.

The new resolutions again authorize construction of Phase I improvements to the village's water treatment plant and two water storage tank sites at a maximum estimated cost of $18,927,000. The project remains subject to a permissive referendum period where members of the public will be able to comment on the proposed upgrades.

To once again move the project forward, trustees voted at the July 20 meeting to authorize the issuance of up to $18,927,000 in 40-year serial bonds to finance the overhaul, with the amount of borrowing reduced by any grants awarded. The new bond resolution supersedes the one adopted Sept. 2, 2025, for the same project and delegates authority to the village treasurer to administer bond sales, bond anticipation notes and financing agreements, including the potential sale of bonds to the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation.

In a related action, the board authorized submission of an application for a 2026 New York State Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) grant through the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation. The village plans to pay for the project with the WIIA funding and municipal bonding if it is able to secure the grant this year. The resolution passed July 20 authorizes the mayor to execute the grant application, funding agreement and related documents.

Village officials said the project will replace aging infrastructure and equipment needed to maintain safe, reliable drinking water service for approximately 8,500 residents, as well as Clarkson University and SUNY Potsdam.

The work at the plant was recommended based on an engineering evaluation completed by LaBella Associates in May 2025 on the plant and its PWS storage tank locations (at Clarkson University campus and near the Lowe’s store respectively).

Planned improvements include replacing aging electrical and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; installing new pumps, mixers and other treatment equipment; upgrading chemical storage and feed facilities; replacing inoperable process valves and actuators; and making improvements to maintain acceptable disinfection levels throughout the distribution system while improving long-term system reliability.

According to the resolutions passed by the board, the project is expected to disturb approximately one-half acre, with affected areas restored following construction.

The board passed a third related resolution which reaffirmed the determination that the project will not have a significant adverse environmental impact under the State Environmental Quality Review Act.

Trustees originally issued a negative declaration following an environmental review in September 2025 after evaluating the project with assistance from LaBella Associates.

Because the project design and scope remain unchanged, the board reaffirmed the previous environmental determination after reviewing supplemental environmental assessment information prepared to comply with updated SEQR regulations adopted in 2026.