Department of Public Works - Village of Lowville NY

Superintendent of Public Works

Paul Denise

Address:
Municipal Building
5535 Bostwick St.
Lowville, NY 13367

Phone:
(315) 376-2834 ext 2

Fax:
(315) 376-2010

Email:
dpwsupt@villageoflowville.gov

Hours of Operation:

Office Hours: 7:00 AM – Noon and 12:30 – 3:30 PM

For DPW emergency calls, before 7:00 AM or after 3:30 PM, please contact the Lowville Police Department at 376-6511, or the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department at 376-3511.

DPW Clearing Snow

About the DPW

The Village of Lowville Department of Public Works currently consists of 11 dedicated employees who are responsible to the success of our projects and the safety of this community. We pride ourselves on the work and service we provide our community.

Services Provided

Street Cleaning / Snow & Ice Control

Streets are swept and cleaned in the Village corporate limits beginning in the spring and continuing throughout the summer. Snow and ice control efforts are performed as required on variable basis. The Village’s effort includes plowing all streets and municipal parking lots and applying a salt/sand mixture as well. Parking restrictions are stricly enforced to supplement these services.

Street Repair & Projects

Capital improvements to various roadways are performed by the DPW. See CURRENT PUBLIC WORKS OPERATIONS & PLANS section below for a list of planned capital projects for the upcoming fiscal year. Maintenance of streets is a constant and endless chore of activity. DPW crews routinely repair and resurface streets and/or sections of streets as necessary.

Sewers

Sanitary sewers are cleaned on a routine basis and also as needed. If a sewer problem is encountered, it is the responsibility of the property owner to confirm the location of the problem within the sewer lateral before contacting the Village for assistance. Property owners may contact the DPW for assistance in locatin their sewer lateral(s) if necessary. The Department of Public Works also maintains and cleans storm sewers on an as needed basis.

Public Works Administration

Office Hours: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM (12:00 – 12:30 lunch)

For DPW emergency calls, before 7:00 AM or after 3:30 PM, please contact the Lowville Police Department at 376-6511, or the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department at 376-3511. Notification to, and approval from, the DPW is required for all activities within street right of way. All utility placements shall be inspected by the Village prior to any backfill.

Water Treatment

The Village’s Water Treatment Plant is located on the Number Four Road in the Town of Watson. Built in 1998, it has a rated capacity of 1.5 million gallons per day. The daily average production is currently approximately 900,000 gallons per day. The system draws water from several surface water sources located on Village property. Is is filtered by slow sand filters; chlorinated for disinfection; and finally treated for corrosion control by the addition of lime and zinc orthophosphate. Treated water is delivered to the Village by gravity through two water transmission poplines to the Village. Any excess not used immediately in the distribution system is routed to the Village’s 3.0 million gallon reservoir on the Number Three Road just north of the Village.

Wastewater Treatment

The Village’s Wastewater Treatment Plant is able to treat 1.8 million gallons per day of sanitary wastewater. Originally built in the 1930’s, the primary treatment plant was upgraded in 1970 and refurbished again in the years 1994, 2001, 2006 and 2016. The secondary treatment plant processes include preliminary grit screening and removal and aerated lagoon treatment. The treated wastewater is discharged to the Black River.

Water Distribution System

The water distribution system is monitored on a daily basis to ensure that the water produced by the water treatment plant is delivered to all Village water customers without interruption, at appropriate pressure and is accurately measured for billing purposes.

Current Public Works Operations and Plans

Winter Street Maintenance:

The winter storm events dictate when streets need to be cleaned and sanded/salted. The most effective time to clean all Village streets is at night. Therefore, we are asking the community’s cooperation to park vehicles in garages and driveways in lieu of the roadway. Furthermore, this is in violation of local law and creates undue hardship for the Village crews. All individuals plowing and/or cleaning driveways and sidewalks with snowblowers, snowthrowers, shovels, plows or otherwise, are not allowed to place/discharge snow into any street or roadway. The hazards of this act can cause injury and/or death. In addition, this is a violation of Village Code Chapter 161, and any violaters may be fined and prosecuted.

Water Treatment FAQs

How often is our water checked for contaminants?

Daily. We sample and test the drinking water thousands of times per year. We test for a wide range of possible contaminants. Any amounts over the Federal and State limits will be reported to you promptly, as required.

What is water hardness?

Water hardness is caused by two minerals, calcium and magnesium. The higher the concentrations of these minerals, the “harder” the water. Hard water is difficult to clean with, as soaps and detergents do not suds well in hard water. On the other hand, “soft” water may make it difficult to rinse soaps away. Lowville’s water is in the low range of hardness (“soft”) and generally does not need any kind of softening treatment.

Why does my water sometimes turn slightly brown for a day or two?

Brown water in our system usually comes from iron either in the pipes that feed your home or business, or from your water heater. Whenever there is a larger than normal use of water in your area – like a nearby fire or leak, or when a DPW crew is flushing hydrants, the larger than normal flow or sudden surge in the flow of water may stir up iron that has settled out an when it combines with air as you use it, the normally colorless iron turns a reddish brown. While harmless to use, it may stain laundry. We usually advise customers not to do laundry for the short time you may be experiencing brown water.

Why does my drinking water sometimes look cloudy when first taken from a faucet, and then it clears up?

This is caused by tiny air bubbles that get added to your water by the aerator in your tap. It is similar to gas bubbles in beer or soft drink. In a short time, the bubbles float and then disappear. This cloudiness happens more often in the winter when your tap water is cold.

Where can I find out more information concerning Lowville’s drinking water?

The Village provides an annual report to the public regarding many facts about its drinking water. You may see our most current report by clicking on the link Annual Drinking Water Report. In addition, you may call the Department of Public Works at 376-2834 for more information concerning the Village’s drinking water.