The New York State Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) has announced that the North Chautauqua County Water District (NCCWD) Phase I Project was selected to receive their 2018 Project of the Year Award — Environmental Project, $5 million to $25 million. The award was presented at the APWA Conference held March 21, 2019 in Utica. Representing the District and receiving the award were members of Clark Patterson Lee (CPL), the project’s Engineers.

Previously, the District received the Western New York APWA award for the same category at a ceremony that was held Feb. 7. These awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of public works professionals and projects across New York state. Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello accepted the award on behalf of the Water District. Also on hand to accept the award were NCCWD board members, CPL Engineers and representatives of the project’s contractor, Kandey Co.

These awards come after the successful completion of phase I of the project. Phase I construction included the installation of water distribution mains along Route 5 west of the City of Dunkirk through the Towns of Dunkirk, Pomfret and Portland, and culminates at the Village of Brocton. This phase also included the installation of a new water storage tank in the Village of Brocton and a new pump station located at the site of the existing Town of Portland water tank. Water now flows from the City of Dunkirk, the regional system’s water supplier, all the way to the Village of Brocton.

The next steps in the construction of the regional water system for the northern area of Chautauqua County have begun. A bid process has just been completed for new water mains that will be installed this spring/summer along Route 5 going east from the City of Dunkirk through the Town of Sheridan.

After receiving an additional $3 million in grant award through the State’s Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA), the County amended the District’s Map & Plan to include additional system improvements. These improvements will include additional water mains, pump station upgrades, a water storage tank in the Town of Sheridan and the potential for interconnections with the Village of Fredonia water system that could serve as an emergency water supply in the event of water service interruptions.

For more information about the North Chautauqua County Water District, please contact the Chautauqua County Legislature’s Office at (716) 753-4541.