Orange Lake Homeowner Association (OLHOA) Action Timeline for Water and Sewer Improvements on West Side of Orange Lake 

We have a long history of drinking water and septic system problems on the westside of Orange Lake and there have been many valiant attempts in the past to address our problems and to get assistance from the Town of Newburgh.

Here are our most recent efforts:

June 2017– Residents of the Orange Lake community submit a petition to the Town of Newburgh asking them to perform an engineering study to determine the feasibility of constructing and connecting the west side of Orange Lake to the Town of Newburgh’s (TON) water and sewer system.

Nov 2017- TON performs their engineering feasibility/affordability evaluation

Nov 2017– Results of feasibility evaluation are presented at the TON board meeting and we are basically told that it is NOT feasible (or rather, NOT affordable) to connect the west side to the Town system. No further action is planned or taken by the TON. As a result of this decision, we continue to pursue other resources and options.

August 2018– Meeting with David Church, Orange County Planning Commissioner, and the OLHA west side water and sewer committee.

David is very supportive and positive about our pursuing alternative water solutions. He recommends getting some wells tested to verify our problem and to show need and, then, applying to the OCWA for county grant money to conduct our own engineering feasibility study.

September 2018– Comprehensive Watercheck Scan & Well Testing through Environmental Labworks in Marlboro: We perform water tests on 10 wells on the west side of Orange Lake: on Snider Av, Valley Av, Smith Av and Summit Av. 

8 out of 10 wells test positive for either total coliforms, E. coli or both. Therefore, these wells do NOT meet NYS standards for safe drinking water. We have a real, verified drinking water problem.

October 2018- We present our findings at the TON board meeting and inform them of our intention to pursue a grant from the OCWA. They give us verbal support. 

November 2018- We present our case to the OCWA and are denied any support or funding. We’re told by David Church that this is due to internal reorganization and end-of-year lack of funding.

November 2018- Two children on Snider Ave have medically verified E. coli gut infections.

February 2019- David Church comes to OLHA board meeting, presents us with funding ideas, and encourages us to apply for grant proposal from OCWA in April/May.  He says we will have to partner with TON in order to be eligible for funding.

May 2019- In partnership with TON, we submit a proposal to OCWA for their Municipal Water Supply Study Grant Program. We ask for $4,700 to fund our own Orange Lake West Water Feasibility study (for construction and connection to the TON system as well as alternative options for water sourcing) using the private engineering firm of Barton and Loguidice. Total cost is $9,400. OCWA grant is $4,700. OLHA will have to find a resource for the other $4,700.

September 2019- We receive email notification from David Church that we have been approved for the grant from OCWA. In an email from him on 7 Oct 2019 he informed me that the TON has received or will soon receive the contract.

October 2019- We are in communication with James McIver of the engineering firm of CT Male with the intent of using them instead of Barton & Loguidice.

December 2019- Meeting with Jim Osborne (TON Engineer), Jim Thatcher, James McIver (CT Male) and West Side Water and Sewer (WSWS) committee to discuss possibility of independent Water Feasibility Study as well as options for sewage treatment and possible funding options.

February 2020- TON and OLHA contract with CT Male to perform a Water Feasibility Study for the westside of Orange Lake to implement OCWA grant. OCWA pays $4,700; TON pays $2,350; OLHA pays $2,350.

May 2020- draft proposal submitted by CT Male for application to the Environmental Planning Grant (EPG) program to study sewer issues on the west side.

June 2020- All NYS grant money put on hold due to Covid19.

July 2020- 

April 2021- Water Feasibility Study is completed and presented to TON and OLHA.

May 2021– Contract between TON, OLHA and CT Male for preparing grant application for EPG to study treatment alternatives to deal with obsolete on-site septic systems on the west side of Orange Lake. $1800 all inclusive. 

July 2021- EPG Application is submitted. $1800 paid to CT Male by TON. OLHA reimburse TON $900

October 2021- Meeting with TON, CT Male and WSWS: Water Feasibility Study is discussed and steps for moving forward are outlined. It is agreed that the best option for acquiring a better drinking water system for the west side residents is to create independent water sourcing in the westside neighborhood as opposed to hooking in to the TON system. This would include creating an independent water distict to be run and maintained by TON.

December 2021– We receive EPG grant for $20,000.00 (with 20% matching funds to be split between OLHA and TON–$2000 each) to “study septic system and wastewater treatment alternatives for the west side of Orange Lake”. 

January 2022– TON accepts the EPG grant 

February 2022– TON approves a resolution to cooperate with OLHA in doing sewer feasibility study. TON contracts with CT Male to undertake this study with the necessary documents filed with EPG by June 2022.  

January 2023- “Feasibility Study Wastewater Collection and Treatment Services” is completed by CT Male. The recommended alternative is a proposed low-pressure sewer system design that connects the west side neighborhood to the TON crossroads sewer district. The estimated cost per resident for this project far exceeds the cost that NYS audit and contract permits. However, there is potential assistance via a NYSDEC Water Quality Improvement (WQIP) grant that, if awarded, could provide substantial grant money to help us fund the cost of this major project. 

April 2023- The OLHA, in partnership with TON, approves funding ($4,600 split equally between OLHA and TON) for the DEC WQIP grant application to be prepared by CT Male. 

July 2023– DEC WQIP application is submitted; awards will be announced in December 2023. 

Summary—Procuring clean and safe drinking water for the west side residents of Orange Lake is our top priority. To this end, it is essential that we find a solution that will fix the old, outdated and failing septic systems that are contaminating our wells and contributing to the pollution of Orange Lake. 

Our problems and pollution affect everyone who lives ‘downstream’ of us, therefore, finding ways to clean up our lake is of great benefit to the entire watershed.