CANANDAIGUA — The federal appropriations bill signed by President Joe Biden March 9 includes $1.75 million for the city to install equipment reducing disinfection byproducts from its drinking water.
The equipment will reduce harmful chemicals produced by the municipal water treatment plant on West Lake Road. Disinfection byproducts occur when chlorine is used to disinfect drinking water. The State Health Department requires chlorine treatment of municipal drinking water.
The byproducts are harmful compounds that have been linked to liver or kidney damage and even cancer.
In 2023, city officials submitted a request for Congressional Directed Spending to U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-24 of Cleveland, Oswego County. The lawmakers submitted the request, and it was included in the appropriations bill. The federal money will come to the city later this year through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The $1.75 million will allow the city to install aerators and mixers in its storage tanks. City Manager John Goodwin said when water in the storage tank is mixed and aerated, the disinfection byproducts are volatilized and leave the water, reducing their concentration.
The city already is designing and developing the treatment system and anticipates the onset of construction in August or September.
“In a time where budgets are tight, this financial gift will be a tremendous help to the people of Canandaigua,” said Peter Virkler, city water plant chief operator. “Our water supplies a lot of residents of Ontario and Wayne counties with water. This system will improve the quality of that water.”
“The federal funding will ensure that the city will continue to be able to provide high quality and safe drinking water to not just city residents, but to residents in the towns of Canandaigua, Bristol, Hopewell, Farmington and Manchester, the village of Manchester, and the Wayne County Water Authority,” Goodwin added.