The Town of Evans has been working on their water infrastructure for over decade. It’s getting some major help soon in the form of a new water tower.
$300,000 is coming from the state to help fund the project. In 2007 the Erie County Water Authority and the town came to an agreement. Evans would focus on upgrading their infrastructure and the ECWA would take over the management and operation of their system. They’ve been doing that now since April of 2013.
ECWA Deputy Director Bob Lichtenthal said the grant money isn’t just good news for Evans residents, but the ECWA as well.
“It will allow Evans to continue moving forward with a project they have been working on in conjunction with the authority and the Erie County Department of Health to provide additional storage capacity in the cases of public safety for fighting fires,” said Lichtenthal. “And in the case there is ever a chance there is an interruption to the water supply, that there would be additional water stored in this storage tank to the benefit of the community.”
Engineers are currently looking for a site to put the tower. Lichtenthal said the new water tower should help attract more business investment in to the area.
“It provides for the balancing of pressures throughout the day. So businesses that may need a constant continuous, not only supply, but being brought in at a specific pressure, storage helps in the control of that factor,” he said.
State Senator Chris Jacobs helped secure the funding. Lichtenthal said it’s not easy finding money for larger projects like this.
“No matter what time of year it is, when there are grants available, whether it’s the Town of Evans or the Erie County Water Authority, we’re always encouraged to try and compete for those and to hope our projects will be looked upon favorably as this water project in Evans has been looked upon favorably,” he said.
So what’s next for the ECWA? Lichtenthal said over the past few years they were fortunate enough to receive nearly $1.3 million to help with a transmission project up in Amherst as part of clean water and drinking water grants. They plan to apply for a second round on an expansion of that project and will ask for nearly $3 million in the next round of grants.
