Dansville water and sewer users can breathe a little easier knowing village officials do not expect to see the dramatic rate hike once thought needed to cover the planned wastewater treatment plant renovation.
The announcement came Tuesday night following discussion of an optional composting system that could be built as part of the plant upgrades. Superintendent of public works Scott Tracy shared preliminary figures that account both for the zero percent funding through the state’s Environmental Facilities Corporation and the recent sewer increases that took effect to start the calendar year.
Tracy explained that the figures used in the village’s funding through EFC calculated an average sewer bill of $395 annually.
“What you’re going to pay as a residential customer is going to be less than $395,” Tracy told trustees. He also confirmed figures previously released in a column by Mayor Peter Vogt that the cost to users to repay the 30-year loan would be as low as $50 per quarter — or about $200 per year.
“Our new rates are going to handle the new plant, as far as I can tell,” Tracy said. “By the rate increase we’ve already had, there is no sticker shock coming.”
For most users, that means the annual cost for sewer will remain less than $400, compared with the estimated $842 originally projected at the outset of the project. Tracy explained that the figures are based on average water and sewer use, and customers will pay more or less based on actual usage.
Trustee Jay Griffith asked whether Tracy was suggesting users could expect their rates to stay stagnant for the next several years.
“I can’t guarantee that — c’mon,” Tracy responded.
Griffith questioned whether the rates would be high enough to cover ongoing costs, which Tracy admitted are hard to predict. However, Trustee Don Sylor pointed out that without renovation, the plant is requiring regular and costly repairs to continue operation — such as pumps that have been replaced multiple times in less than two years. Sylor suggested that reducing those repair costs should help the village meet operational costs under the current rate structure and budget.
As to the original question of whether the village would build a composting facility as part of the plant upgrades, it remains to be decided. The board of trustees agreed to explore the option.
Trustee Dick Whitenack noted that the village spends upwards of $160,000 annually to haul sludge — a cost that would go away with composting. Whitenack added that the village’s sludge is mostly water, which contributes to the high costs. Tracy noted that the cost of hauling accounts for $66 per year for the average sewer customer in the village.
“We’ve got to get rid of that water,” Whitenack said, alluding to other sludge handling options such as pressing and drying that would reduce the volume and weight of sludge.
He added that many villages have been able to sell compost and are seeing high demand.
“I feel we can turn this thing around so we can be making a little money on our composting,” he said. “I certainly feel it’s going to reduce the odor situation, which has been a problem for several years.”
Dansville water and sewer users can breathe a little easier knowing village officials do not expect to see the dramatic rate hike once thought needed to cover the planned wastewater treatment plant renovation.
The announcement came Tuesday night following discussion of an optional composting system that could be built as part of the plant upgrades. Superintendent of public works Scott Tracy shared preliminary figures that account both for the zero percent funding through the state’s Environmental Facilities Corporation and the recent sewer increases that took effect to start the calendar year.
Tracy explained that the figures used in the village’s funding through EFC calculated an average sewer bill of $395 annually.
“What you’re going to pay as a residential customer is going to be less than $395,” Tracy told trustees. He also confirmed figures previously released in a column by Mayor Peter Vogt that the cost to users to repay the 30-year loan would be as low as $50 per quarter — or about $200 per year.
“Our new rates are going to handle the new plant, as far as I can tell,” Tracy said. “By the rate increase we’ve already had, there is no sticker shock coming.”
For most users, that means the annual cost for sewer will remain less than $400, compared with the estimated $842 originally projected at the outset of the project. Tracy explained that the figures are based on average water and sewer use, and customers will pay more or less based on actual usage.
Trustee Jay Griffith asked whether Tracy was suggesting users could expect their rates to stay stagnant for the next several years.
“I can’t guarantee that — c’mon,” Tracy responded.
Griffith questioned whether the rates would be high enough to cover ongoing costs, which Tracy admitted are hard to predict. However, Trustee Don Sylor pointed out that without renovation, the plant is requiring regular and costly repairs to continue operation — such as pumps that have been replaced multiple times in less than two years. Sylor suggested that reducing those repair costs should help the village meet operational costs under the current rate structure and budget.
As to the original question of whether the village would build a composting facility as part of the plant upgrades, it remains to be decided. The board of trustees agreed to explore the option.
Trustee Dick Whitenack noted that the village spends upwards of $160,000 annually to haul sludge — a cost that would go away with composting. Whitenack added that the village’s sludge is mostly water, which contributes to the high costs. Tracy noted that the cost of hauling accounts for $66 per year for the average sewer customer in the village.
“We’ve got to get rid of that water,” Whitenack said, alluding to other sludge handling options such as pressing and drying that would reduce the volume and weight of sludge.
He added that many villages have been able to sell compost and are seeing high demand.
“I feel we can turn this thing around so we can be making a little money on our composting,” he said. “I certainly feel it’s going to reduce the odor situation, which has been a problem for several years.”
