Water for Warnerville
After years of waiting, hamlet getting water lines

Times Journal
August 11, 2004

Warnerville should be getting clean, fresh water this fall or early next year, after waiting more than a decade.

Work began a few weeks ago on the project that will link the hamlet to the Village of Cobleskill's water system.

"It's going great," said Tom Danielsen, chairman of the board for Warnerville Water District #1.

"When we were first told this was a one-season job, we couldn't believe it.  Even with the late start, contractors still think they can do it this year."

It was 13 years ago that Warnerville wells began running dry or producing poor water.  After a series of failed attempts - and a vote that defeated the formation of a water district - residents petitioned for the project (See related story.)

A 12-inch main will connect with Cobleskill lines just west of the county Planning and Development Agency office on Mineral Springs Road. The main will run to Cobleskill-Richmondville High School, with six-inch lines along side roads. 

An eight-inch line will run east on Route 7 to the bridge by SUNY Cobleskill, according to Francois Vedier of Lamont Engineers.

A storage tank will be installed along West Fulton Road, and a 12-inch line will run to it, Mr. Vedier said.

Major work on the project is to be done by November 15, he said. Even if all the lines are not in, some customers should be get- ting Cobleskill water this year, assuming work on the tank is finished, Mr. Vedier said. 

A line of 12-inch water mains snakes its way along Mineral Springs Road towards Warnerville as a crew begins installing lines that will bring Cobleskill water to the hamlet later this year. -Photo by Jim Poole.

Customers are responsible for having pipes run from their homes to the lines, and they're also responsible for having water meters installed, Mr. Vedier said. The Town of Richmondville is providing the meters.

The project costs $2.46 million and will be paid through grants, zero - and low -interest loans, according to Judy Pangman, also with Lamont Engineers.

The approximately 100 customers on the new lines will pay 1.5 times the water rate that Cobleskill residents pay, she said.

Ms. Pangman estimated that an average Warnerville household will pay $475 per year for water. The figure includes operation and maintenance of the system, debt service and the cost of the water.

The cost per household might be reduced, Mr. Danielsen said, because the water board continues to search for grants.

Also, he said, the cost of repaying the loan debt is apportioned according to assessed property value. As assessments change, so will the debt-service payments.

"We're always looking for ways to save," Mr. Danielsen said. "The changes in assessments will change the payments, maybe just a couple of dollars. But saving every few dollars helps."