National Rural Water Association

New York Rural Water Association Focuses on Environmental Protection for Genesee River

Clean, safe and affordable water is one of America’s greatest resources and Rural Water is right in the middle of protecting it.  Through various source water protection programs across the United States, Rural Water is able to rehabilitate damaged watersheds, which is instrumental in the fight for clean water. 

Currently, New York Rural Water Association is building a fantastic network of caring individuals to help revitalize a section of the Genesee River along the River Road in Willing.  The Boy Scouts of America, Allegany County, the Town of Willing and the Wellsville Village Water Department are pulling together to stop a huge source of contamination to this critical area watershed. 

Josh Bossard, New York Rural Water Association’s, Source Water Protection Specialist conducted an extensive investigation into the areas water supply.  Part of his findings showed that the scope of the Source Water Protection Project would require the cooperation of many. 

As with many polluted watersheds across the country, the River Road section of the Genesee is inundated with all kinds of debris including tires, discarded washing machines, aluminum cans, old cars, disposable diapers, and rotting bags of trash. 

New York Rural Water is drawing on its expertise in environmental protection to help this community devise a way to restore its watershed to a clean water source.  The Boy Scouts have volunteered to provide manpower in picking up the trash and debris.  It looks like the county and town will provide equipment and resources for the proper disposal of the pollutants. 

Once the project is complete later this spring, area residents and tourist will be able to enjoy the full resources of the river including: fishing, canoeing, swimming and other water activities.  Additionally, the Wellsville Village Water Department can be confident that their water source is environmentally secure. 

Whenever Rural Water can help a town or water system protect its natural resources, everyone benefits especially the environment.

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