LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Wells-
ville Water Treatment Plant

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
organizations that enhance the quality and character of life in the
communities across New York State, and are reflective of the concerned
and dedicated efforts of those groups and individuals that are devoted
to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to recognize those
organizations within the State of New York, who, by achieving outstand-
ing success in their service to residents, have inspired and brought
pride to their communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of the Wellsville Water Treatment Plant; and
WHEREAS, In 1883, a private firm known as the Wellsville Water Company
was incorporated; the Village of Wellsville purchased water from the
company until late 1915; and
WHEREAS, On September 1, 1915, members of the Village Board decided to
purchase the company for $75,000; voters overwhelmingly approved the
purchase; and
WHEREAS, A slow-sand filtration system was built at the top of the Lee
Place at a cost of $75,000, and a new intake dam and chamber was built
using two-inch thick pine planks; a three million gallon reservoir was
built as part of the filtration system; and
WHEREAS, Village voters in 1921 approved funding for a new plant,
which was subsequently built on the site across from the high school and
operated until 1990; the plant treated approximately 25 billion gallons
of water with the average daily consumption beginning around 461,000
gallons in 1922, and rising as high as one million gallons by 1990; and
WHEREAS, Construction on the modern plant, which was set next to the
old plant on State Street, was begun in June of 1989; the treatment
plant has a 500,000 gallon clearwell which provides the village nearly
nine million gallons of storage when combined with the existing reser-
voirs; and
WHEREAS, After a serious erosion was discovered, the New York State
DEC built a new intake pump station and transmission line upstream from
the refinery; the new intake station was turned over to the Village of
Wellsville in 1988; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the years, the Genesee River has served as the
village's water source; the river, which originates just 180 miles to
the south and flows northward, has been cited as one of the prominent
reasons for the water's popularity; and
WHEREAS, The Wellsville Water Treatment Plant has won numerous "best
tasting" awards at the county and state level; among the most presti-
gious of awards includes the New York Rural Water Association's "Opera-
tion of the Year," won in 2001; the New York Rural Water Association's
"System of the Year," won in 2005; and the National Rural Water Associ-
ation's Environmental Cleanup Project Award, won in 2006; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize those organizations that have achieved notable success in their
service to the residents and communities of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Wellsville Water Treatment
Plant; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Wellsville Water Treatment Plant.