KINGSTON – The Kingston Water Department’s Cooper Lake Dam project is complete.
The project, which was done under a project labor agreement and was estimated to cost $20 million, is now expected to be under budget at about $18 million.
The improvements bring the dam at the reservoir into compliance with updated State Environmental Conservation regulations with a new water supply intake tower, new outlet works, new metering chamber and controls, a new spillway and energy dissipation structure, raising and flattening of the slope of the main dam, and leveling of the 1,500 feet long West Dike.
“We are proud of our pristine water and, with these improvements, have undertaken the costliest capital project in the Kingston Water Department’s history in order to keep our water at the highest quality for our residents,” said Mayor Steven Noble.
Kingston was awarded a $3 million Water Infrastructure and Improvement Act grant for the project in April 2022.
Cooper Lake Dam was the first project in the state to receive Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund funding for Dam/Reservoir Rehabilitation under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Class Exception. The project was also awarded $100,000 through the FEMA High Hazard Potential Dam Grant.
With the completion of the project and lower water levels during construction no longer necessary, the reservoir level will be increased to full capacity and the drought alert has ended.
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