Watertown WOTS sewer project remains estimated at nearly $30 million

Watertown has bonded $29.74 million for rehabilitation of its Western Outfall Trunk Sewer system, a project intended to reduce untreated-water discharges into Beaver Meadows during heavy rain and snowmelt. Additional grant requests could provide more funding for the work, but the city’s public documents continue to identify the bonded project cost as about $29.74 million.

The city authorized a $2.5 million application to the New York Department of State’s Community Resilience and Flood Risk Reduction program. The application includes a 10% local match and was due June 26, 2026. A separate city resolution authorized a request for $10 million through the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Water Quality Improvement Project grant program, with a 25% local match and a July 31, 2026, deadline.

The city also has a state Water Infrastructure Improvement Act grant of up to $7.435 million for the project. The city’s 2025 annual report said work on DEC-directed WOTS corrections would continue through 2026.

Heavy rain and snowmelt can bring groundwater and stormwater into the sewer system, exceeding its capacity. Extra water has been released into Beaver Meadows, a large wetland west of the city limits, as officials worked to reduce the risk of basement backups, particularly near Butterfield Avenue.

The city and the Town of Watertown wastewater treatment plant were cited by the DEC through consent orders over untreated-water discharges into the wetland. The city was cited in 2023, and the DEC later placed a moratorium on new sewer connections until a correction plan was in place. A credit system allows 30,000 gallons per day of new connections.

The city’s 2026 work plan includes lining mainline pipe and manholes and grouting lateral connections in sub-basins 1, 4, 7, 8, 9N and 9S. City Engineer Tom Compo previously said design work would take about 18 months and construction another 18 months if grants are obtained.

The project affects residents near Butterfield Avenue and Beaver Meadows, as well as developers seeking new sewer permits. The Town of Watertown is carrying out separate repairs under its own consent order. A town budget of about $2.8 million includes lining roughly 2,000 feet of sanitary main between Butterfield Avenue and Chestnut Street; the town’s work was listed as about one-third complete.

The city’s pending applications and future project updates are addressed through Watertown City Council documents and the city’s engineering and public works operations. The city’s bonded amount and project resolutions are available through the Watertown City Council agenda archive.