Matthew Zarbo of Barton & Loguidice of Tonawanda is the project engineer for Mayville’s water project. His firm has applied for a $2 million grant from the federal government. Photo by Gregory Bacon

MAYVILLE — Now that Mayville has a new filter system for its water, the next step is to build a structure to protect it from the weather.

During last week’s Mayville Village Board meeting, officials approved a number of resolutions necessary for constructing a water filtration building. Companies that were awarded bids included House of Steel Construction in Springville, Klinginsmith Plumbing and Heating in Mayville, Frederickson Builders Supply in Cassadaga, Peterson Overhead Door in Jamestown, Four Seasons Contractors in Mayville, EnerGsmart Insulation LLC in Tonawanda, and S. Tabone Construction in Fredonia. Matthew Zarbo of Barton & Loguidice of Tonawanda is the project engineer.

The village was previously awarded a $1 million grant from the state to assist in the water project. All of the bids that were awarded will be funded through the state grant.

Trustee Sun Ray Eagle Harrington questioned the bid of House of Steel and gave Zarbo price quotes from another company, saying they would be lower. Zarbo looked over the bid prices and said this company’s bid was incomplete because it didn’t have trusses. He said it was the board’s call if they wanted him to look into getting additional bids, but he was concerned about the lateness of the project if they waited much longer.

The board chose to move ahead with the bids provided by Zarbo. During the resolutions, Harrington voted against five of the nine resolutions. He did not say why he chose to vote against the specific resolutions or why he supported the other ones.

On July 22, the Chautauqua County Health Department announced that the water conservation order, in effect since June 2 for customers served by the Mayville water supply, was lifted. The village had installed a treatment system on one of its wells, that show the system is effectively removing perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), the contaminant that forced the village to shut down the well in December 2020.

The village also has a fourth well that it uses that does not have any PFNA in it. It is believed three of Mayville’s wells were infected from firefighting foam used during training exercises held at the Chautauqua Municipal Building property, which is the old Mayville school building.

Zarbo did say during the meeting that although they have a solution for treating the village’s water, he still recommends the village look into drilling a new well, free of contaminants. He said it’s too early to say how often filters will need to be replaced at the first well, and that the cost of treating the water can add up quickly.

In order to cover the cost of a new well, Zarbo said he applied for a $2 million grant from the federal government. That grant would cover 80% of the cost, which would mean the village would be responsible for finding the remaining $500,000. That could come from the state, county or village, but it wouldn’t be able to come from the federal government.

“It would pay, if all goes well, for a whole new well site, so you would not be dependent on treating contaminated water,” he said. “It always pays to find a clean water source that you’re just chlorinating and you’re sending out the door. It’s always cheaper in the longer run if you can do that.”

A final decision from the $2 million grant has not been made. Zarbo said he believes if the village is approved for the grant and they refuse it, he doubts they would be eligible for a federal grant in the future.

Jennifer Obert, village treasurer, did warn village officials that even though they could potentially receive $2 million, they would still be responsible for $500,000 and that could end up being funded by village taxpayers if they are unable to get the state or the county to fund it. “We only have 825 water customers. … Even at zero percent (interest), you’re looking at between $13,000 and $25,000 being the yearly payment on that,” she said. “I just think there needs to be more discussion.”