As the legislative session in Albany nears its conclusion, efforts are being made to support local communities before the next cycle begins. Among the various bills under consideration is one aimed at expanding the Town of Warwick’s use of its community preservation fund. This expansion would allow for projects focused on water quality improvement, aquatic habitat restoration, pollution prevention, and stormwater collection systems.
The Town of Warwick has been studying its water supply over the past four years and found traces of lead in some instances. Although these levels are deemed safe by New York state standards, both the town and Assembly members agree that enhancing water quality protection would benefit residents.
Under the proposed bill, up to thirty percent of the community preservation fund could be used for managing new preservation and quality systems. Additionally, up to ten percent could be allocated directly for developing tools and equipment to maintain clean water.
“The Town of Warwick knows how important clean water is to its functioning,” a statement reads. The goal is to prevent any potential issues from causing harm in the future. “We owe it to our kids, our seniors and all of our neighbors to protect their water.”
The initiative taken by Warwick is commended as a proactive measure to ensure public water safety. “Equipment updates and procedure advances are always coming,” it states, emphasizing the importance of staying current with technological advancements.
There is optimism about reporting progress once this bill passes through the Assembly. There is also an eagerness to work with other towns on similar needs before this year’s session ends.
