IRVING — Thanks to an agreement between the Seneca Nation and the Town of North Collins, residents in the hamlet of Lawtons will finally see the end to long-standing issues on drinking water quality in their community.

Nation leaders and Town officials gathered on the Cattaraugus Territory this morning to sign a water services agreement. The agreement, which was approved by both the Seneca Nation Council and the North Collins Town Board, allows for the Town’s Lawtons Water District to purchase water from the Seneca Nation to provide to residents in the Lawtons community. The Nation will provide the Lawtons Water District, through the Nation’s present system of water mains, an average of up to 20,000 gallons per day of potable water. Lawtons Water District will construct, provide and maintain any additional necessary water mains and service connections within its service area.

“Water is life, and having access to safe drinking water should not be a concern for the people of our community,” said Seneca Nation President Todd Gates. “The Seneca Nation is proud to work with the Town of North Collins and the Lawtons Water District to provide this much-needed solution for our neighbors in Lawtons.”

Lawtons was one of three locations in Erie County recently cited by a Natural Resources Defense Council report detailing health threats in tap water across nearly 5,000 community water systems nationwide. The Lawtons service area has experienced long-standing issues with water quality, likely connected to the shallow, nearly century-old well serving the roughly 95 residents in the area. Earlier this year, the residents voted to create the Lawtons Water District to help address the water quality issues.

“This agreement is in keeping with the spirit of being good neighbors and support for all people in Western New York,” added North Collins Supervisor John Tobia. “I would like the thank President Gates and the Seneca Nation for their help in bringing clean drinking water to our community.”

The Nation’s provision of water to the Lawtons Water District will be based on an annual base rate established by the Nation. The rate will not exceed the existing rate at the time set by the Erie County Water Authority for general metered purposes, or other such rates as may be applicable to the Nation’s water supply.

“Our Nation believes in, and is committed to, collaboration and honoring commitments,” President Gates said. “Whether in vital quality of life services such as the provision of safe, reliable water, education, public safety or business activities, the Seneca Nation is proud of the important contributions we make here in Western New York, and we always stand ready to work in partnership with our friends and neighbors.”