We are seeing more and more examples of sharing among communities. In the last few years, some smaller towns moved on to the idea of a shared space for police, fire and EMT; this concept is called a safety center, and it’s a great idea for countless reasons. But that kind of creative cooperation, which benefits so many, needn’t stop there.

In New York, there is an interesting water infrastructure project between the town of Verona and the city of Rome. Verona previously got water from Oneida, but the supply couldn’t keep up with the demand, so they chose Rome as a suitable solution to the problem. Rome’s mayor, Jackie Izzo, and Verona’s town supervisor, Scott Musacchio, outlined and explained this project, making it as clear as, well, good water.

Musacchio began, “I firmly believe in shared services with municipalities who share our similar needs. I believe we should share our resources to help our neighboring communities. We all see the rhetoric regarding this in every media outlet; however, every elected official in our country, no matter what position they hold, should have a primary focus and duty to serve their residents and constituency.”

Izzo added, “We were doing a water expansion project already, so we just had to make a tweak. The major work was on Verona’s side because they have to expand all the piping.” She further explained, “Verona has to upgrade putting piping in to here in Rome, and they are. We are running a new main to connect everything, and that is almost completed.”

The project is going so well that testing is expected to begin soon. Izzo said, “We are running on schedule — actually, maybe even a little ahead!”

Musacchio added, “The town of Verona and the city of Rome, with the assistance of our legislative boards, engineering groups, staffers and many other individuals, were able to make an agreement to purchase this water. Because the city of Rome has the water processing facility and the capacity to serve our needs, this saved the town of Verona millions of dollars.”

Izzo noted, “Verona is not the only town we serve. We actually have surplus water. We currently sell to Lee, Westmoreland and Whitestown because some part of each town borders Rome. We have a tank with that kind of capacity because we used to have a military base.”

Griffiss Air Force Base closed in 1995. The water filtration plant was meant to service 55,000 to 60,000 people when the base was fully operational.

“So because of the base,” Izzo said, “we have all the plants, all the necessary things to do this. It definitely saved millions of dollars. We have put over $30 million into mandated upgrades. It’s a great example of shared services between municipalities. And it’s really a public health and safety issue, because some properties are on the old Erie Canal, and they’re on wells there. We wanted them to have the ability to get good potable water.”

Musacchio explained financial aspects of this project. “Our water project is being funded by Environmental Facilities Corporation, which is a New York state program. We are also working with Rural Development and several other organizations. The town of Verona has reached out to Senator Chuck Schumer’s office as well, and they have responded and are working with the town of Verona.”

Izzo added, “When the project was announced, Rome became eligible for grant money, and Verona got some as well, plus 0% interest hardship money, too.” This is meant to incentivize municipalities to improve their drinking water infrastructure, because clean water is a public health and safety issue.

And, Musacchio said, “The EFC and every New York state grant agency review design documentation with the submitted engineering plan (MPR) and the subsequent cost to the resident. The town of Verona, nor any other municipality, can charge more than what is authorized by those funding agencies. In our case, it is $904.00 per year per household, which includes the debt service for 30 years and the usage piece, which is based on an average family unity per their requirements.”

Another added benefit is what this meant for the town of Verona Fire District.

“The town of Verona Fire Districts are in favor of having additional fire hydrants, which is included and is one of the primary reasons for our water extension project. Presently, in some cases, our fire companies must import water to fire scenes to fight fires, especially in the hamlet of New London.”

At a time when every second counts, having water immediately available on the scene is absolutely critical. Part of the problem, too, according to Mussachio, was the composition of the ground where hydrants would be, with lots of clay, which causes its own issue.

Musacchio noted, “The town of Verona expects completion of this project in late 2024, pending any other supply chain issues or unpredicted delays. But we are progressing well due to a mild winter.”

Water is an undeniable necessity. The body can go approximately three days and not much more without it. It’s not just about drinking. Car radiators need it. Everyone needs it for cooking and cleaning. The several industries — including the medical field — also require a quality source of water.

Musacchio echoed this. “I have lived in the town of Verona the better part of my life, and have lived in hamlets where I have had a dug or drilled well. The water quality, in my experience, in every case was poor, whether it be hard water, which destroys washers, water heaters, dishwashers and clothes, etc. More importantly, the well potability, quality and sustainability to drink the water out of the faucet is suspect in most hamlets. The potability issue can consist of potential nitrates, chloroform or any number of pollutants in our groundwater.

“The town of Verona has been attempting to make this water project happen for 25-plus years. It’s been going on since the late ʼ90s. I am elated we are finally able to bring clean potable water to our community. This project is the hard work of hundreds of individuals whom I appreciate very much.”

Izzo and Musacchio are genuinely pleased and proud of the collaboration that’s made all this possible. Next time you draw a glass of water, wash a load of laundry or bathe your baby, you might just feel the same.

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