PERU, N.Y. (WCAX) – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation says help is on the way to reduce phosphorus runoff into Lake Champlain. Our Alek LaShomb reports on what new tool the department is rolling out and how much money Peru is getting.
A critical infrastructure facility in Peru that’s nearly 40 years old is one of many in the North Country that needs new upgrades to meet incoming new state requirements.
“For the most part, it is failing infrastructure that impacts our water quality,” New York DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said.
Seggos says the agency has finally completed the Lake Champlain Watershed Implementation Plan.
“It sets up the next round of really important actions and that is our financial investments in this body of water,” Seggos said.
It’s been years in the making, all in an effort to reduce phosphorus from getting into the lake, a major focus for environmental leaders. Also announced Monday– new money for Peru’s wastewater facility.
“It protects all of the waste from your homes and businesses that are tied onto and ends up coming in your lakes and streams,” said Courtney Tetrault, the superintendent of the Water and Sewer Department in the town of Peru.
Tetrault says the money will go toward new equipment, some meant to lower their phosphorus output, which he says has been slashed in half over the last two years.
“We have a requirement to add UV disinfection to our facility, so we do need to make upgrades to help with that,” Tetrault said.
He says the town has roughly $3.5 million for the project so far. But with a price tag of $25 million, he says they are now waiting on lawmakers to provide some additional support.
“We’re with hopes that we get the rest of our funding this year and we can go out to bid and start construction in 2025,” Tetrault said.