The Village of Cazenovia was recently awarded up to $325,000 by the Environmental Protection Agency to put towards the stormwater runoff harvesting project. The funds, which were given through the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Green Innovation Grant Program, will be used to divert rain water from 12 of the village’s historic rooftops to stormwater sewers.

“It will hugely reduce the amount of water going through the sewer treatment plant during storms. We are thrilled and so glad to have this project funded,” said Village Trustee Water and Sewer Commissioner Peggy Van Arnam. “This is a big deal for the village.”

The aim of the project is to reroute rainwater from the roofs of Cazenovia’s historic buildings into existing storm sewers, cisterns and infiltration basins. The collected stormwater can then be reused to refresh the village aquifer and educate citizens about water conservation and use.

Considering the volume of rainfall from recent storms, this project will benefit village residents by removing rainwater, a valuable resource, from the combined sewer system.

Cazenovia’s village water system is expansive, pumping an average volume of 282,000 gallons daily and 102,769,000 gallons each year. 12 miles of pipe service 3200 residents.

The water diverted into storm sewers will increase the amount of water available for municipal operations and decrease the amount volume of stormwater running into sanitary sewers.

The NYSEFC estimates construction cost of $366,000, which will be largely covered by funds awarded by the grant. In the coming weeks, the village will look to set a project timeline.

For more information on the Village of Cazenovia’s Water and Sewer Department visit villageofcazenovia.com/dept/water.php.