Seeking Wastewater Solutions to Benefit Adirondack Waters

The Adirondack region faces unique challenges in maintaining and upgrading sewage and wastewater infrastructure. Many small communities with populations below 1,000 residents struggle to fund necessary upgrades due to limited tax bases. Improper wastewater management leads to pollution of pristine lakes and streams, which can result in beach closures, the destruction of aquatic habitats, and contamination of drinking water supplies.

In response to these challenges, the Adirondack Council published two key reports—Clean Water Infrastructure in the Adirondack Park: Crisis or Opportunity (2016) and Wastewater Treatment Plants in the Adirondack, Status of Compliance and Operational Need (2017), – highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure improvements.

Since the Council began supporting Adirondack communities with funding applications in 2016, more than $170 million in state clean water grants and low-interest loans have been awarded to local municipalities, helping them address these vital infrastructure needs.