WJWW and its three member municipalities entered into a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the NY State Attorney General, on behalf of the NY State Department of Health in the form of a consent decree.
The consent decree contains the terms and conditions to consolidate and settle all claims in connection with filtration and treatment of surface water drawn from Rye Lake on behalf of consumers served by the WJWW system. The consent decree, along with necessary paperwork from the State of New York to join in the omnibus settlement, was lodged with the federal court on June 24, 2024, and became effective on September 23, 2024.
In recognition of WJWW’s good faith efforts and the significant progress it has made in moving the filtration plant project forward, the settlement agreement resolved the governments’ claims for civil penalties at less than one percent of the statutory maximum penalties available under federal and state law. The consent decree sets forth the incremental milestones to be accomplished through July 1, 2029 which is the date established for commencing operation of the filtration plant. Click here to view a copy of the consent decree.