OBSERVER Photo by Gregory Bacon Local, county, state and federal officials and representatives gathered to celebrate the start of the Phase II Chautauqua Lake South and Center Sewer District Extension. Among those pictured holding shovels are, from left: Legislature Chairman Pierre Chagnon, County Executive PJ Wendel, and South and Center Sewer District Board Chairperson Karen Rine.

ASHVILLE – Back in September, 2010, the Chautauqua Watershed Management Plan recommended public sewers around Chautauqua Lake as a priority project.

Fourteen years later, another step in that process is taking place.

On Thursday, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the West Side Sewer District Extension Phase II extension. The ceremony took place next to Hogan’s Hut, which will benefit from the new sewer extension.

Once complete, the entire west side of Chautauqua Lake will have municipal sewer service.

According to South and Center Sewer District Director Tom Walsh, the Phase II will extend sewers from Stow to Prendergast Creek in the town of Chautauqua.

“The Phase II sewer extension will provide service to over 400 residents and two campgrounds,” he said.

Walsh noted the sewer extension will convey approximately 30 million gallons annually of wastewater to the wastewater treatment plant located in Celoron.

The entire project is expected to cost $19 million and will take about two years to complete.

County Executive PJ Wendel noted that originally the county was going to use American Rescue Plan Act funds for it, but they were able to secure enough state and federal funds that they did not need to use its APRA money.

South and Center Sewer District Board Chairperson Karen Rine called the extension groundbreaking “an exciting day” and said what they’ve learned from Phase I will be applied to Phase II.

“I’ve been a Chautauqua Lake advocate for 40-some years. My goal is to someday see a clean, usable Chautauqua Lake,” she said.

County Legislature Chairman Pierre Chagnon noted that public sewers have been recommended multiple times following multiple studies.

“This, my friends, is true progress,” he said.

Stow resident Rolland Kidder, who was previously a member of the New York State Assembly, also spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony.

“This operation took vision and I commend all of you,” he said.

Kidder noted that although millions of dollars are being spent, the general public won’t see the work because the pipes are being laid underground.

“It’s going to mean as much, if not more than, public projects that you can see,” he said.

Wendel called Phase II a “major economic engine for Chautauqua County,” because it will protect the lake and keep wastewater out of the watershed.

While Phase II construction is just beginning, Wendel said they’re already looking ahead to Phase III.

“A rolling stone gathers no moss,” he said.

Phase III would connect Midway Park to the former Point Chautauqua Golf Course in Dewittville. Once it is completed, the entire lake will be surrounded by public sewers.

Walsh said they are just starting the studies for Phase III, which is expected to take about two years to complete. He hopes that once Phase II is finished, the county will be ready to begin Phase III.