Utica's Sewer Compliance Project

Some of the sewer lines in Utica were installed just 100 years after the city was first established. That makes them nearly 80 years. "As an old industrial town who was trying to revitalize itself it's really important that they try to upgrade and maintain good waste water treatment system. And a lot the folks today are dealing with problems that have developed over decades."

Now the City of Utica is trying to replace those lines with an estimated $70 million project. "It's an upgrade to the sanitary and storm sewer systems in these areas so it should decrease the chance of any flooded basements." Utica is not in a unique predicament... There are many old municipalities in the northeast facing similar sewer problems. "Unfortunately there hasn't been funding to upgrade or maintain them over the years. So this is true from Buffalo to New York City to New England it's true everywhere and that's why I think it's tremendous that Utica is stepping up to the plate and doing something about it."

            One area business owner says he supports the project but it does have its drawbacks. "I don't get as much traffic and now is my biggest season where everyone wants to get rid of winter. So cars don't get to drive and see that, to get the idea in their head that it's time to clean up"