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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE10-15

February 12, 2010

CONTACT:

Michael Saucier/Mercedes Padilla (718) 595-6600

First Connections Are Made to Expanded Grahamsville Sewer System


New Extension Project Will Help Ensure Protection of Watershed

Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway today announced that the first new connections have been made to the newly expanded Grahamsville sewer system as part of a $5.5 million New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) sewer extension project that will help protect the Delaware watershed. Construction of the 3,400 linear feet of sewer extension was completed in December 2009. There will be approximately 100 more connections made to the system by the end of summer 2010, with an additional 40,000 gallons of sewage being processed daily at the Grahamsville plant.

"One of our top priorities is to protect the watershed, now and for future generations," said Commissioner Holloway. "By hooking into the Grahamsville sewer system, residents will be able to discontinue the use of stand-alone septic systems that under certain circumstances can threaten water quality. And that contributes to the protection of New York City’s pristine watershed. I want to thank the town and people of Neversink for their assistance and cooperation in making these improvements."

"Improving and expanding the sewer infrastructure is important to the watershed but it will also benefit the residents of Grahamsville for years to come," said Assemblywoman Aileen M. Gunther. "I appreciate the work the DEP is doing in this and other watershed communities to protect the watershed and improve the infrastructure for residents."

"The town of Neversink appreciates the hard work and logistical planning performed by the contractors and DEP," said Neversink Town Supervisor Greg Goldstein.

Wastewater from the sewer system is treated at the Grahamsville Wastewater Treatment Plant. The sewer extension project is part of DEP’s watershed protection program to ensure that the Catskill/Delaware system remains unfiltered. Failing septic systems can have a negative effect on water quality. The City has invested over $1.5 billion in watershed protection programs, including nearly $55 million to help homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems, and almost $125 million to construct new wastewater infrastructure in communities with concentrated areas of substandard septic systems.

DEP manages the City’s water supply, providing more than 1 billion gallons of water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8 million in New York City, and residents of Ulster, Orange, Putnam and Westchester counties. Approximately 1,000 DEP employees live and work in the watershed communities.

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