Westchester Joint Water Works (WJWW), a nonprofit public benefit corporation that was formed in 1927 the Village of Mamaroneck, the Town of Mamaroneck, and the Town/Village of Harrison and now provides drinking water to about 100,000 Westchester residents and other customers, has broken ground for a new drinking water filtration plant. The total cost of the project has been estimated at $205 million. The plant, being built at the western edge of the Westchester County Airport, would be able to deliver 30-million gallons of water each day.
The Westchester County Board of Legislators last year approved a land exchange with WJWW for a 13.4-acre parcel at the Westchester County Airport. The new plant will cover 80,000 square feet. The Yonkers Contracting Company Inc. received the contract for its construction.
“This is a great day for WJWW, for our community, and for all who depend on safe, clean drinking water,” said Jaine Elkind Eney, chair of the WJWW Board of Trustees and Supervisor of the Town of Mamaroneck. “This moment has been more than 20 years in the making and from the very beginning, our number-one priority has continued to be the health and safety of our residents. Today’s groundbreaking is another step in ensuring that safety for our residents now, and for generations to come.”
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said, “A lot had to happen to get us to this day. For nearly two decades, the people of Westchester Joint Water Works navigated different administrations, countless conversations, and community concerns — always with one goal in mind: protecting the water and the health of more than 100,000 residents. This project reminds us that while it doesn’t come easy, when labor, legislators, professionals, and community voices all come together, we can achieve great things. Congratulations to the Westchester Joint Water Works and all the partners who made this possible.”
From left: Anthony Ascenso, BCTCWPC and business manager, Local 60; Jeff Loughlin, president, BCTCWPC; Eileen Feldman, Hazen and Sawyer; Paul Rush, deputy commissioner, NYC-DEP, Bureau of Water Supply; David E. Birdsall, WJWW business director/CFO; Hugh Greechan Jr., county public works commissioner; Ed Cooke, vice president, BCTCWPC; Sharon Torres, vice chair, WJWW Board of Trustees and Village of Mamaroneck mayor; Paul Kutzy, WJWW Manager/CEO; Jaine Elkind Eney; Westchester County Legislators Catherine Parker, Margaret Cunzio, Shanae Williams, Nancy Barr and Erika Pierce; and Anthony Catalano, senior principal, Woodard & Curran. Photo by Ed Cody.
WJWW received a NYS Intermunicipal Grant award for $30 million. Loans were being secured through the NYS Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and WJWW was seeking grant opportunities for the project. WJWW has a Project Labor Agreement with the Building and Construction Trades Council of Westchester & Putnam Counties (BCTCWPC), resulting in an estimated construction cost savings of $7 million.
The water filtration plant is expected to be operational by early 2029. WJWW was ordered by the state and federal government to build the plant to filter water it takes from Rye Lake, which is next to the airport. This project will serve as the means to comply with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and New York State Department of Health water treatment rules.
