10/17/2023
We got our project listed on the NYS EFC's IUP last year - which is amazing. Now we need to improve our score so that the project is eligible for CWSRF grant funding. The best way to do that is demonstrating that there is impairment of the desired best usage of the affected surface water or groundwater caused by existing discharge, as indicated in the Priority Waterbodies List (PWL). Points are also allotted based on verifiable documentation of surface water and/or groundwater impairment. We received "Threatened or non" in this category. Our goal is to move up one level to " Stressed" (a water quality problem is evident, but impairment is not clearly demonstrated, i.e., waterbody uses are not significantly limited or restricted, but occasional water quality or quantity conditions periodically discourage the use of the waterbody).
The priority waterbody that flows through the Amenia hamlet is the 54 mile-long Wassaic Creek to the Housatonic River Basin. Here's a map of the waterbodies in the proposed sewer district.
Documenting Impairments
DEC shows no documented surface water impairment around our Hamlet but that's because they didn't test in our hamlet. So our focus turns to documenting surface water contamination that may be reasonably consider a result of nearby septic system failures. We spoke with several testing vendors and after a lengthy deliberation recommended the Town Board engage the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) to perform surface water testing. HVA has a long history with Amenia and they are a great choice. The testing will begin in late August and finish next spring with the final report ready before our next IUP submission in June 2024.
