The NYS Department of Health has ordered the Town of Essex to update and improve its water treatment and the quality of the municipal drinking water. The town was issued a tribunal order by the Department of Health in late 2010 and has been working diligently on a remedy ever since.

Essex Town Supervisor, Sharon Boisen wants to assure the public that she “believe[s] it is the public’s right to safe and good quality drinking water, nothing less. This is crucial to a healthy, vibrant community and the responsibility of local government to its water districts.”

Boisen has personally been working toward this goal for 13+ years because she considers it so important. Her efforts for the Essex Water District were renewed when she began “affectively managing the sewer capital project, administering from start up to completion, on time and under budget. This drastically reduced the amount of raw sewage seeping directly into Lake Champlain, our current drinking water source.”

About the Water Project

A $1.14 million grant was recently awarded to assist with the implementation of an update to the Essex Water District, and the State Environmental Facilities Corp. recently allocated an additional $2.01 million interest-free loan toward the work.

Initial engineering reports recommended two new wells and fire-flow improvements to waterlines on Main Street, Beggs Point Road and School Street in Essex, NY (Press Republican).

According to Supervisor Boisen, the town is currently involved in a second set of negotiations with property owners concerning possible sites for the wells. These second negotiations are occurring because previous successful negotiations proved unfruitful when a test well was dug and it was revealed that the site did not have the necessary quantity of water available to provide for the town.

“Once we get over this hurdle of property negotiations we will be well on our way to meeting our department of health deadlines,” Boisen asserts.

The Town of Essex is designated as a National Historic District, which means that efforts must be made to ensure the preservation of the hamlet.

In their resolution to move forward, town councilors said they would continue to work with the New York State Historic Preservation Office to mitigate any potential threats to historic resources. (Press Republican)

Town Supervisor Boisen offers thanks to all that have supported this project. “My office has worked tirelessly on this project funding with assistance from Jim Dougan, AES Northeast, and the Essex County Planning Office.  We are all thrilled to see our work recognized and the project moving forward.” She also expresses gratitude to the “Governor and to Environmental Facilities Corporation for their financial support of this project.”

Related articles

• Town of Essex gains $3.1 million for water project (pressrepublican.com)
• Daily Doodle: Ice Fishing on Beggs Point by Mary Wade (essexny.us)
• Vintage Photo: Essex Waterfront (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Daily Doodle: Michelle Maron’s Essex Abstract (essexny.us)
• Daily Doodle: Nautical Essex by Beverly Boisen (essexny.us)