01-03-2025
Ontario County awarded $250k from DEC for water improvement project
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Ontario County is hoping to improve water conservation by reducing the amount of rock salt dispersed on the road. News 8's Adelisa Badzic took a trip down to the town of Canadice to see how they are planning to implement this with a generous grant from the DEC.
According to the DEC's website, Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District will purchase live edge plow blades, salt application control devices, and weather monitoring equipment to reduce salt application. The project will protect water quality within the Finger Lakes watershed.
Megan Webster, the district manager for the county's soil & water conservation district told News 8 Friday that this not only will help the municipalities with this tech but also protects human health and safety.
Highway Superintendent for the Town of Canadice – Jeremy Fraim got right to work with his plows, adding the new edge blades he says to his entire fleet already.
He also mentioned a new weather monitoring camera, which he said helps save time and even resources because it analyzes the road and gives a predicted forecast of when it will freeze.
Not only does this help the town itself, but also the City of Rochester, since Canadice Lake and Hemlock Lake serve as one of the drinking supplies for the city.
'Another great thing about this blade is it was engineered and designed and distributed right here in the Rochester area. So, all this money is staying right here locally,' Fraim added.
Tara Blum from the DEC said applications open usually mid-spring for the WQIP program, and applicants selected are usually announced later in the year. If interested in learning more about the program or possibly applying, visit the WQIP's page on the DEC's website here.
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