Officials are hoping to start construction on a new water district extension in the Dewittville area by next year.

During a recent Chautauqua Town Board meeting, officials held a public hearing on Water District I extension.

According to Supervisor Don Emhardt, the water district would run along Route 430 from the water tower at Chautauqua Lake Estates to the village of Mayville.

Some residents in the Sandalwood Area who already get municipal water directly from Mayville will now get it from the town of Chautauqua. Because they are now part of the water district, their rates are expected to drop.

According to the report on the town website, this project is expected to cost around $11.5 million. “The projected annual first year water cost for a single-family home within the new Water District No. 1 boundary is estimated to range between $925 and $1,176. Only users located within the new service area will be responsible for the debt service associated with distribution and transmission improvements, while all users connected to the system will share equally in source, treatment, and storage improvements. Once implemented, the water system extension would ensure the area is served by clean, sustainable, and regulated public water,” the documents state.

During the meeting, Emhardt said he doesn’t think construction will begin until the spring of 2027. He declined to say how long he thinks the work will take, other than it will take more than one calendar year to complete.

Emhardt said those who have well water can keep it if they choose. “Everybody does not have to hook up but everybody will pay for the infrastructure in front of their house,” he said.

Individuals who want municipal water will be responsible for hiring their own contractor.

“We found that if somebody in the area gets a contractor and (neighbors) go together, it’s generally a lot less expensive than if you get individual contractors,” Emhardt said.

Emhardt noted they were recently awarded a $5 million zero percent loan over a 30-year period, which is why the project is moving forward now.