Canandaigua receives federal funding for water treatment upgrade

Canandaigua will enhance its water treatment system with a $1.75 million federal grant aimed at removing harmful byproducts of the disinfection process. Announced as part of the federal appropriations bill signed by President Joe Biden on March 9, the funding will enable the city to install crucial equipment to mitigate the levels of disinfection byproducts, which are known to cause health issues, including liver and kidney damage and cancer. This initiative comes in response to mandates from the State Health Department, which requires chlorine treatment for municipal drinking water.

The financial aid, secured through efforts by city officials and supported by U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Claudia Tenney, will be provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency later this year. The allocated funds will specifically go towards integrating aerators and mixers into the city’s storage tanks, a strategy designed to volatilize and eliminate the harmful byproducts from the water.

City Manager John Goodwin and Water Plant Chief Operator Peter Virkler expressed gratitude for the federal support, highlighting the project’s significance for improving water quality for Canandaigua and surrounding communities. The upgraded treatment system, expected to commence construction in late summer, will ensure the provision of safe and high-quality drinking water to a wide area, including several neighboring towns and the Wayne County Water Authority.