Schenectady County, N.Y. — The Towns of Guilderland and Rotterdam, NY today announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for water supply distribution.  Guilderland has agreed to buy water from Rotterdam and both towns have agreed to share water in the event of an emergency.

Guilderland will pay Rotterdam $100,000 each January toward annual water sales.  Rotterdam will receive additional revenue for the first 45 million gallons of water used.  Guilderland will build a connection to the Rotterdam water supply via Route 158 (Guilderland Avenue). Guilderland will build, operate and maintain the connection.

Rotterdam Supervisor Steve Tommasone said, “Rotterdam is blessed with a very high-quality water supply from the Great Flats Aquifer.  Our administration’s goal has always been to generate revenue for the Town by selling a small portion of our excess water capacity.  These additional revenues that will help our taxpayers and allow us to make ongoing improvements to our water wells and distribution.  It has been a pleasure to work with Supervisor Barber and his team and we look forward to many years of cooperation between our towns.”

Guilderland Supervisor Peter G. Barber said, “This water supply agreement advances the Town of Guilderland’s interest in diversifying its water resources by purchasing high-quality water at affordable prices.  Guilderland is also proud to have provided water to Rotterdam in emergency situations and is pleased that the new pumping station will allow for the mutual supply of water.   I’d like to thank the Town’s engineer Delaware Engineering, DPC for securing the construction grant for this inter-municipal connection and other infrastructure improvements, and Supervisor Tommasone for his invaluable role in reaching this historic agreement.”