The Town of Ellicott has continued the planning for major construction work set to begin down the road to the Fluvanna sewer and water systems.

The goal of this plan is hopefully to have a more positive environmental impact on the area.

The construction will be a complete overhaul to the sewage and water systems within the Fluvanna area. For the water systems the town plans to replace hundreds of feet worth of water main as well as various other small replacements. For the sewage they plan to perform a completely new installation of “sewer main, pump stations, grinder pump stations, sewer laterals, and other various sanitary sewer collection system infrastructure within the Fluvanna area of Ellicott” as stated by the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Improved sewer and water service in the area can help protect Chautauqua Lake from nutrients leaking into the lake, which feeds algae and weed issues in the lake. Sewer construction around the lake has been a constant process over the past decade. That’s one aim the DEC had when declaring Ellicott the lead agency on the project in 2024.

“The town of Ellicott, as lead agency, has determined that the proposed Comprehensive Sewer District – Fluvanna Service Area Sewer Expansion will not have a significant adverse environmental impact,” the DEC said. “The area is currently served by individual private septic systems. Nearby Chautauqua Lake has experienced water quality degradation due to excess nutrient loading. Elimination of septic systems in the areas surrounding Chautauqua Lake could help mitigate nutrient loading and may lead to overall improved water quality.”

Improved water and sewer service in the area also opens up additional land for development near the Strunk Road exit of Interstate 86.

Ellicott Highway Superintendent Robert Pickett Jr. discussed the ongoing planning at the town’s most recent board meeting, according to minutes of the September meeting. Planning has pushed on with Pickett telling The Post-Journal that 65% of preliminary planning for the sewer is done with around 35% of planning for the water systems. Pickett noted that a mail survey will be sent to residents in Ellery soon, and as a result much more information is to come within the next month or two.

According to the board’s September minutes, a grant for the project wasn’t awarded but that denial isn’t expected to affect the project.

The next board meeting is set to meet on Oct. 7 at 5:30 p.m.