On Wednesday, Chautauqua County legislators could give final approval to a $3.9 million phosphorus removal project at the North Chautauqua Lake Sewer District.

The project is $1.1 million more than was originally approved by the legislature in May 2015 because of a new state DEC disinfection technology requirement. The project was going to use chlorine, which the state DEC mandates has to be removed from the water later. Now, ultraviolet technology will treat the water. The project is expected to increase rates within the district $88 a month to $466 a year.

Spending $3.9 million is a big decision, and one which we hope brings a good number of people out to air their thoughts during a public hearing at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday in the legislative chambers in the Gerace Office Building. In this case, it appears spending $3.9 million is a good decision that will benefit everyone in Chautauqua County. Removing phosphorus from Chautauqua Lake is important both environmentally and economically given the lake’s important to the county’s tax base and the economy in southern Chautauqua County. The sewer district’s project should move ahead as quickly as possible.