Town of POESTENKILL, NEW YORK
Water District #2 / water distribution system extension

Laberge Group was retained by the Town of Poestenkill to extend the municipal water distribution system to protect public safety by eliminating reliance on individual wells and individual contaminated treatment systems. NY State Department of Environmental Conservation, NY State Department of Health, and Rensselaer County Department of Health conducted a joint investigation of wells at the Algonquin Middle School and surrounding properties which detected PFAS and PFOA levels that exceed the State’s standards. Like communities across the State, the Town is committed to taking immediate action to address these “forever chemicals.”

Laberge Group developed a Map, Plan and Report that delivered several alternatives for expanding municipal water services to the effected area. The preferred solution establishes Water District No. 2, and extends the drinking water distribution system to Algonquin Middle School and surrounding areas where contaminant levels above the NY State threshold have been identified.

Laberge Group provided a full range of services to take this project from concept to completion, including project planning, system design, permit coordination, bidding services, construction observation, and surveying services. The firm also partnered with the Town to develop a funding quilt strategy that wove together funding from various sources to offset approximately 95% of the $5.5 million project cost of these vital water infrastructure improvements, including:

• Up to $3.3 million in New York Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (NYWIIA) grant funding.
• $1.7 million in Community Project Funding (CPF) funding through the EPA STAG program.
• $1 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Emergent Contaminant Funding.
• $600,000 in Rensselaer County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

This vital infrastructure extension provides safe, clean water to end users while simultaneously helping the Town of Poestenkill attract, retain, and expand business development and create new jobs.