A major infrastructure project aimed at improving water quality and reducing long-term costs is now operational in Wayne County.
Officials this week celebrated the opening of the new Western Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant in the Town of Palmyra, a $105 million facility that replaces four aging wastewater treatment plants with a single modern, centralized system.
The new plant is designed to improve treatment efficiency while helping protect water quality in the Erie Canal, also known as the New York State Barge Canal. Officials say consolidating operations into one regional facility will also generate significant long-term savings, reducing future debt costs for local ratepayers by an estimated $97 million.
The facility is expected to serve five Wayne County municipalities over the next 30 to 40 years.
Assemblyman Brian Manktelow, who attended the grand opening, called the project “a big step for Wayne County” and said he was proud to see the long-planned initiative come to fruition.
Manktelow also thanked engineering firm MRB Group for its role as a development partner, along with the many individuals whose efforts helped bring the regional wastewater treatment plant from concept to completion.
The project is expected to provide reliable wastewater treatment capacity for decades while supporting environmental protection and future growth across western Wayne County.
