CELORON – Chautauqua County has secured a $24.2 million grant from New York state to support Phase 2 of the South and Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer District expansion project.

The funding, which includes a portion from federal infrastructure act funding, will enable the completion of municipal sewer service along the west side of Chautauqua Lake, benefiting nearly 900 homes and businesses and diverting 60 million gallons of wastewater annually to the South & Center Wastewater Treatment Plant in Celoron.

In September, the South and Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer District approved a $16.9 million bid from J.D. Northrup Construction Inc. to extend the sewer district from Stow to Prendergast Creek, located on the southern side of Chautauqua Institution. The expansion represents a significant step forward in the county’s efforts to protect the lake’s ecology and safeguard local water wells from contamination.

“This expansion represents a significant investment in protecting the Chautauqua Lake watershed,” said Thomas Walsh, director of the South and Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer District. “By replacing outdated septic systems with advanced infrastructure, we’re taking a crucial step to preserve water quality and safeguard the environment for future generations.”

As part of the project, crews will replace outdated septic systems with advanced pump stations and install an extensive network of pipes to efficiently convey wastewater to the treatment facility in Celoron. This modernization is expected to reduce the environmental impact on the Chautauqua Lake watershed, ensuring the long-term health of this vital natural resource.

“While most may never see the physical footprint of this expansion since it’s underground, it is among the most vital projects for our county,” said County Executive PJ Wendel. “This effort will safeguard public health for generations to come. I look forward to the grand opening and extend my heartfelt thanks to all those whose dedication and hard work have brought us to this point.”

Walsh previously 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.

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.