Poughkeepsie Puts New Water Storage Tanks Online

The City of Poughkeepsie put two new water storage tanks online today, replacing the underground reservoir.

City of Poughkeepsie officials today put two, 2.5-million-gallon water storage tanks online to replace the 5-million-gallon underground reservoir at College Hill Park. City officials say the tanks will provide a better distribution system, with other benefits.

This $7.5 million upgrade includes building the new tanks and connecting them to the water system and disconnecting the underground reservoir, in addition to digging and removing soil.

The City has been awarded $3 million from the state Environmental Facilities Corp. for the project, in addition to an $8.6 million interest-free loan. The City will use the rest of the money to replace water mains at key areas in the City to improve water flow.

The project continues a series of improvements to the City’s water system. Earlier this year, the City and Town of Poughkeepsie moved forward with an approximate $4.5 million project to improve the Poughkeepsie’ Water Treatment Facility, which they jointly operate.

That upgrade will replace the UV disinfection equipment that helps to purify the water originating from the Hudson River. Over the past two decades, the City and Town have spent approximately $40 million to improve the plant, which is located within the Marist College campus on property co-owned by the City and the Town.

At College Hill Park, the underground mains will be replaced with new iron pipe.

Mayor Rolison said:

Coupled with the improvements to the water plant, this improvement to our water storage area will better protect our water as it flows from the Hudson River to our facilities that ensure safe drinking water to the public

City officials also are considering repurposing the historic underground cistern, which was constructed in the 1920s, into public space.

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