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The Water & Sewer Department is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and long-term management of the Village’s public water distribution and wastewater collection systems.
The department works every day to provide safe, reliable drinking water, protect public health, maintain critical infrastructure, and ensure environmental compliance throughout the community.
The Village water system delivers potable drinking water through approximately 40 miles of water mains, while the sewer system includes approximately 33 miles of sanitary sewer infrastructure that conveys wastewater to the Village’s Wastewater Treatment Plant located on Route 3, approximately one mile northeast of the Village.
The Water & Sewer Department is responsible for:
- Delivery of drinking water to Village residents and water district customers
- Operation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)
- Operation and maintenance of Village-owned lift stations
- Inspection and maintenance of sanitary sewer mains
- Maintenance of water mains and laterals to the curb stop or property line
- Required DEC, EPA, and DOH testing, monitoring, and regulatory compliance
- Daily water quality monitoring for disinfection and corrosion control
The department also maintains water and sewer infrastructure through agreements with the Towns of Harrietstown, St. Armand, and North Elba. The Wastewater Treatment Plant additionally accepts wastewater flows from the state and federal correctional facilities located in Ray Brook.
To set up a water or sewer account, pay your water or sewer bill, or for any other billing concerns, call 518-891-4150 ext. 232 during normal business hours from 7:30 AM - 4 PM Monday - Friday.
The Village of Saranac Lake annually issues a report describing the quality of your drinking water. The purpose of this report is to raise your understanding of drinking water and awareness of the need to protect our drinking water sources.
- Water Quality Report 2025
- Water Quality Report 2024
- Water Quality Report 2023
- Water Quality Report 2022
- Water Quality Report 2021
- Water Quality Report 2020
- Water Quality Report 2019
- Water Quality Report 2018
- Water Quality Report 2017
- Water Quality Report 2016
- Water Quality Report 2015
- Water Quality Report 2014
- Water Quality Report 2013
- Water Quality Report 2012
Wastewater Treatment Plant
The Village Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), located on Route 3, treats an average daily flow of approximately 1.8 million gallons of wastewater.
The facility is operated in compliance with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations and standards.
Treatment operations include:
- Wastewater processing and treatment
- Effluent quality monitoring
- Laboratory testing and reporting
- Sludge management and disposal
- Environmental compliance activities
Residual sludge generated during treatment is transported to the Franklin County Landfill.
Drinking Water System
The Village water system consists of approximately 40 miles of infrastructure, including:
- Transmission mains
- Distribution mains
- Service lines
- Fire hydrants
- Approximately 2,135 water meters
System infrastructure includes cast iron, ductile iron, and high-density polyethylene piping, with portions of the system dating from the 1950s to the present.
The Water & Sewer Division performs required daily monitoring and testing to ensure compliance with New York State Department of Health (DOH) and federal drinking water standards. Monitoring includes:
- Chlorine residual testing for disinfection
- Zinc orthophosphate monitoring for corrosion control
- Water quality sampling and laboratory analysis
- System inspections and maintenance
Sewer System
The Village sewer system consists of approximately 33 miles of infrastructure, including:
- Gravity sewer mains
- Force mains
- Sewer lift stations
- Sanitary manholes
- Wastewater conveyance infrastructure
Portions of the sewer system date from the early 1900s through the present day and include clay tile, cast iron, and modern plastic piping materials.
The Water & Sewer Division routinely performs:
- Sewer main inspections
- Maintenance and cleaning
- Lift station maintenance
- Emergency repairs
- Regulatory compliance monitoring
- System improvement planning
Property Owner Responsibilities
Properties Within the Village
The Village owns and maintains the water service lateral from the water main to the curb stop or property line, whichever occurs first.
Property owners are responsible for:
- Water service lines beyond the curb stop or property line
- Interior plumbing
- Purchasing water meters, if required
- Protecting water meters from freezing or tampering
- Repairing private-side leaks
Residents receive one courtesy meter inspection free of charge. Additional inspections may result in a service fee unless the meter is found to be defective.
Properties Outside the Village or Within Water Districts
Property owners are responsible for the water service lateral from the water main connection to the structure, including all associated plumbing and infrastructure.