Wastewater Committee

From the Comprehensive Plan

There is nothing more important to the future of Amenia than the installation of a sewer system in the hamlet of Amenia. This is the keystone on which the rest of the Plan stands or falls. Creating a vital and economically robust center is necessary both to preserve the countryside and to strengthen the Town’s economy. This cannot be done without sewers. The Town must work with the County, State, and private developers to find a solution to this most important problem facing the Town. Proposed large-scale developments close to the hamlet provide a one-time opportunity for a public-private partnership that would solve this problem. This opportunity should not be missed.

 

Overview

The Town of Amenia recognized the need for a centralized sewer system for the Amenia Hamlet, which includes our main business district, nearly three decades ago. Most parcels are served by individual subsurface septic tanks and leachfields while some have even older disposal systems such as seepage pits or cesspools. Some of these older systems are generally regarded as outdated and no longer considered best practices.

The Amenia Hamlet has a long history of documented septic system issues. The 1995 feasibility study noted that the parcel size, location, and soil conditions of many of the parcels in the Hamlet precludes the ability to reconstruct adequate on-site systems and the persistence of the problem creates not only economic hardship on the property owners and the Hamlet, but a serious environmental and public health concern as well.

In 2000, the Town developed the Amenia Wastewater Committee (AWC) to investigate the possibility of constructing a sewer system.

A central sewer system would provide several benefits to Amenia, including:

  • Replace outdated septic systems
  • Remove economic hardship on property owners
  • Allow existing businesses to reach their full capacity
  • Encourage additional growth and new businesses in the Hamlet
  • Allow for multi-use buildings
  • Provide environmental protection by replacing failing or outdated septic systems
  • Promote sustainable community development that benefits all town residents
  • Encourage capital investments in-Town

A separate engineering report and Map, Plan and Report (MPR) were developed in 2008 and 2009 which recommended a sewer district for the Amenia Hamlet that would be funded by the Silo Ridge development; however, this did not come to fruition.

An engineering report was developed in 2012 which recommended a smaller sewer district focused on the core area in the Hamlet center with a treatment system at Beekman Park or at the Town Hall. The 2012 effort did not proceed to the MPR phase. Despite incomplete attempts in the past, a central sewer system for the Hamlet of Amenia is a top priority.

Amenia has many steps to engage the community regarding the implementation and feasibility of a new sewer district. Below is a timeline.

  • 1995 – A sewer feasibility study was completed.
  • 2000 – The wastewater committed was formed.
  • 2008/2009 – A new engineering report and MPR were developed in conjunction with the Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority, the Town of Amenia, and the Silo Ridge Development. As recommended by the engineering report and the MPR, this new district would serve most of the Hamlet of Amenia and construction of the system would be funded by Silo Ridge. However, the sewer district was never formed.
  • 2012 – A new engineering report was developed which recommended a smaller sewer district focused on the core area in the Hamlet center with an alternative collection system and a treatment system at the Beekman Park or at the Town Hall. This effort never advanced to the MPR phase.
  • 2021 – Town of Amenia selects Tighe & Bond to perform the sewer feasibility study.
  • Spring 2022 – Town sends out wastewater surveys to homeowners and businesses in the Town of Amenia to collect input from community members regarding the potential for a central sewer system. Town of Amenia actively encouraged property owners within the hamlet to complete the survey.
  • Spring 2022 – The AWC met with Tighe & Bond several times to discuss progress, determine the district delineation, and discuss potential treatment system locations and technologies.
  • Spring 2022 – Tighe & Bond met with the Town of Amenia to review the draft report and prepare for the public meeting and presentation.
  • Summer 2022 - A joint presentation by Tighe & Bond and the AWC was held at the Amenia Town Hall to present the results, recommendations, financial impacts, and next steps. This meeting is intended for the stakeholders in the proposed sewer district.
  • Spring 2024 - Town of Amenia selects Laberge Group to create a Map, Plan and Report.
  • Fall 2024 – Laberge Group delivers the Map, Plan, and Report for the proposed sewer district to the Town.