By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy announced Tuesday that he has secured a $1million grant for repairs to the City of Olean’s water treatment plant on River Street.
An exterior wall of the plant is failing and needs to be reconstructed. Langworthy said the critical investment is included in the House-passed appropriations package now moving through Congress.
Langworthy secured a $1 million grant in October 2024, but the appropriation was not included when the bill passed the House and went to the Senate for approval.
“This funding will be used to repair and restore the exterior walls of Olean’s water filtration plant and replace critical filter media, ensuring the facility can continue providing safe, reliable drinking water to residents and businesses throughout the region,” Langworthy said in a statement.
“Our water infrastructure is something we can’t afford to neglect,” Langworthy said. “This $1 million investment will help prevent serious structural failures at Olean’s water filtration plant, protect public health, and ensure reliable water service for families, hospitals, schools, and businesses who depend on it every day.”
City officials have warned that deteriorating exterior walls and aging filtration components pose a growing risk to the plant’s long-term operation. Without timely repairs, structural failures could disrupt potable water service and compromise fire protection capabilities, creating serious public safety concerns.
Langworthy concluded, “Bringing federal resources home to the Southern Tier will always be one of my top priorities. By making these repairs now, we are extending the life of the facility, avoiding far more costly emergencies down the road, and ensuring Olean’s water system remains strong and dependable for years to come.”
“The funding will help stabilize the plant’s structure, modernize key filtration elements, and safeguard one of the community’s most essential pieces of infrastructure,” the congressman said.
City Water Department Director Brad Camp welcomed Langworthy’s announcement.
“When the grant is provided, we can put the work out for bid,” Camp told the Olean Star. “We have to do something. The problem hasn’t gotten any better in the past couple of years.”
Camp said the original filter media at the water treatment plant that opened in 2015 also needs to be replaced.
The project could possibly begin before the end of the year depending on funding and availability of a contractor to do the work, Camp said.
