Recently, I had the opportunity to travel to Torrey, New York, where an exciting project has finally come to fruition after more than two decades of planning. The town is breaking ground on its very first water district, which is expected to greatly improve the health and well-being of residents in rural areas of the state. Additionally, the project will contribute to water quality and conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Thanks to the funding of $2.4 million from the USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Program (WEP), the town has been able to make this project a reality ahead of the upcoming Earth Day.
Once completed, the new waterline will provide safe and reliable water to over 40 households in the area. It was an honor to be joined by town and community leaders, both past and present, as well as the engineers from the Clark Patterson Lee and Nardozzi construction teams who will be responsible for building out the new water district. “The residents in this area have trouble with water from the lake or their wells are prone to dry out,” Town Supervisor Peter Martini said.
Martini added: “Some of the wells are inadequate for residential use.” Once reliable wells are getting less reliable. If everything goes as planned, residents should have water from the new line by this summer.”
As we approach Earth Day, I am filled with pride in investing in our planet and rural America through projects like the one in Torrey, New York. This serves as an exemplary illustration of the USDA’s commitment to partnering with rural communities in building essential infrastructure that not only generates jobs locally but also benefits the state and nation. Access to modern water and wastewater systems is crucial for every community, particularly in rural areas of New York State.
The USDA is proud to celebrate Earth Day by showcasing how we are investing in locally-driven solutions, such as this water district project, to expand access to safe water, reliable wastewater infrastructure, renewable energy, and other essential services.
These efforts aim to create jobs, build critical infrastructure, and foster sustainable futures for rural America. For additional information about this program, please visit the USDA’s Water and Environmental Program page. If you have inquiries regarding USDA Rural Development programs in New York, you can contact the state office in Syracuse at (315) 477 – 6400 ext. 4. Stay updated with our latest news and updates by following us on Twitter at @RD_NewYork.