South and Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer Director Tom Walsh, right, speaks to members of the county Planning Board in 2022 about the upcoming second phase expansion of the South and Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer District. A bid for the $16.9 million project has been approved and work will begin this fall. Photo by Gregory Bacon

CELORON – The South and Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer District has approved a $16.9 million bid by J.D. Northrup Construction Inc. to expand the sewer district from Stow to Prendergast Creek on the south side of Chautauqua Institution.

The project, set to begin this fall and continue through spring of 2027, will complete the connection of all properties on the west side of Chautauqua Lake to the public sewer system.

The expansion project is an important development in the ongoing efforts to protect the ecology of Chautauqua Lake and ensure the safety of local water wells. Crews will install advanced pump systems to replace outdated septic tanks and construct a comprehensive network of pipes to convey wastewater to the South & Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer Districts’ wastewater treatment facility in Celoron. The expansion will extend sewer access to an additional 400 homes, matching the scope of the first phase, which also connected 400 homes.

“We were very pleased with the competitive bids we received and are excited to see this important project move forward. Protecting Chautauqua Lake watershed has always been a top priority, and this expansion will significantly contribute to that effort,” said Thomas Walsh, director of the South and Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer District.

Walsh told county legislators previously that the district has studied wastewater discharge thoroughly. He said the average home discharges 200 gallons a day. Annually that’s over 70,000 gallons a year. There’s 1,200 homes on Chautauqua Lake that use septic systems discharging 90 million gallons of wastewater directly into the Chautauqua Lake watershed.

The first phase of the sewer expansion eliminated about 28 million gallons of waste. The second phase should eliminate another 28 million gallons.

“This project represents decades of planning and dedication to improving the infrastructure around Chautauqua Lake,” Karen Rine, South and Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer District Board chair. “By connecting these additional homes to the public sewer system, we are making a vital investment in the future health of our community and our natural resources. The success of phase 1 is attributed to our vibrant director and staff at the sewer district who work tirelessly every day to make our operations a success.”

The project, which began back in the 1980s, has seen renewed momentum in recent years, with a strong push to expand the sewer district around Chautauqua Lake. Construction is expected to be completed within two years.

“This expansion is a major step forward in fulfilling County Executive Horrigan’s 2013 vision of completing public sewers around the entirety of Chautauqua Lake,” said legislator Pierre Chagnon, R-Bemus Point and legislature chairman. “Completion of major public works infrastructure projects like this takes determination and persistence. I am proud of the dedication shown by all those involved over the years, and this project will have a lasting positive impact on the health of our lake and the well-being of our community.”

County Executive PJ Wendel emphasized the project’s importance to the region.

“The expansion of the sewer district is a critical step in safeguarding the environmental and public health of our county. I commend everyone involved for their continued commitment to enhancing the quality of life for our residents and preserving the beauty and integrity of Chautauqua Lake,” he said.

County legislators are also looking at another extension of sewer service, this time on the east side of the lake from Midway State Park in Ellery to Galloway Road in the town of Chautauqua. The county has approved spending $40,000 in American Rescue Plan Act money for a study to begin the process.

Legislature Chairman Pierre Chagnon, R-Ellery, told legislators recently the first step is to study how the area should be sewered. The options include sending the waste to the South and Center sewer treatment plant in Celoron, sending it to the north Chautauqua Lake Sewer Treatment plant near Mayville, dividing the waste between the two plants, or building a new treatment plant. Chagnon added that he suspects a new treatment plant will not be needed, however the state requires all options be studied.

Depending on the timeline of grant approvals, Chagnon said it’s possible the project could go out to bid by the fall of 2026 and get users connected by the fall of 2027.