Shovels should be in the ground soon, mandated no later than July 1
Current Plant
By John T Ryan
Peru, NY – March 31, 2025- Upgrading Peru’s wastewater treatment plant should begin soon. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) mandated most upgrades. After being granted two delays, Peru signed a consent order to have a shovel in the ground no later than July 1, 2025.
On March 18, the Peru Town Board approved the general, plumbing, and electrical bids totaling $16.3 million. The board had to advertise for the mechanical work (heating and air conditioning) twice because no contractors submitted bids for the February 29 initial bid opening. On March 28, K & L Plumbing & Heating submitted the lowest bid of $1,156,000, which C&S Engineering is reviewing. The board will award the winning bid at a special meeting on April 8 at 5 p.m.
The following contractors submitted the lowest bids in their respective categories:
- General Contractor: Murnane Building Contractors – $9,304,000
- Plumbing Contractor: John W. Danforth – $5,648,000
- Electrical Contractor: Triangle Electrical Systems – $1,342,800 Mechanical Contractor: (Pending) K & L Plumbing and Heating – $1,156,000
- The bids totaled $17,450,800, not including engineering and contingency costs.
- New York State awarded Peru $11,087,515 in grants, covering at least 50% of project costs. The town will finance the remaining cost through a 30-year no-interest loan.
Today, Supervisor Randall said he would ask AES Northeast Engineering for an updated estimate of the project’s tax impact on the district’s 565 users. He expressed satisfaction that the bids came in lower than anticipated and his gratitude for the 50% grant funding, commenting, “We’re fortunate to have been awarded grants in today’s environment.”
The board considered two alternatives regarding the project scope. After evaluating costs and grant funding, it agreed with Water-Sewer-Parks Department (WSPD) Superintendent Courtney Tetrault’s recommendation to relocate the Department’s base of operations to the treatment plant. The new facility includes a 5-bay garage, office, laboratory, lockers, shower, and restroom. The WSPD and Highway Department will use WSPD’s Cross Street building for storage. The board decided against pursuing a $2.5 million upgrade of the hamlet’s sewer collection infrastructure.
Correction 3/31/25 8:47 PM. The engineering firm is AES Northeast, not C&S, as initially stated.
Posted: March 31st, 2025 under Adirondack Region News, Environmental News, Northern NY News, Peru News, Peru/Regional History, Water & Sewer Dept. News.