Reservoir LT2 Compliance Project

The Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association will play an active advisory role in the LT2 Compliance Project. This page will help residents understand & facilitate resident engagement.

Background

The City's reservoirs are mandated to comply with the EPA's "Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule".

The City of Rochester maintains three finished drinking water reservoirs, Rush Reservoir, Cobb's Hill Reservoir, and Highland Reservoir. In 2006, the USEPA adopted the LT2 regulations that impacted all uncovered water storage facilities, including all three Reservoirs.

The Rush Reservoir was brought into compliance with the LT2 rule with the installation of a synthetic rubber liner and floating cover in 2012. Both Cobb's Hill and Highland Reservoirs are open finished water storage facilities which are still required to comply with LT2 regulations by 2035.

City of Rochester LT2 Webpage

Click here to sign up for the City's newsletter for LT2.

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The article below offers a good general explanation of where things stand as of early, 2025

Options for major changes at Highland, Cobbs Hill reservoirs gain focus as study widens - WXXI News | By Brian Sharp Published May 7, 2025

"...something needs to change for the city to be in compliance with tightening federal water safety regulations for open top water storage facilities. Specifically, the rules aim to mitigate the risk of contamination from a pathogen called cryptosporidium."

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Project Advisory Committee (PAC) Invitation (July, 2025)

An advisory committee has been established to facilitate communication between the project planners and, residents and stakeholders in the community.

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Invitation Letter to UMNA - Project Advisory Committee - LT2 LT2 Compliance Project.pdf

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"Recognizing the sensitivity associated with potential alterations in Highland Park and Cobbs Hill Park, the City is establishing a PAC to ensure stakeholders with varying perspectives and experiences have a voice in the alternative evaluation process. In addition to providing input and guidance, PAC representatives will be asked to assist the City in relaying project information and educating the community on the purpose and the need for the project. PAC representatives will also be asked to encourage interested individuals to participate in the public engagement activities through the duration of the project." - excerpt from the PAC invitation letter.

Rome Celli, president of UMNA, will serve on the Project Advisory Committee for the City's LT2 Compliance Project.

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Surface Water Treatment Rules & LT2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rules

The purpose of the Surface Water Treatment Rules (SWTRs) is to reduce illnesses caused by pathogens in drinking water. The disease-causing pathogens include Legionella, Giardia lamblia, and Cryptosporidium.

The SWTRs requires water systems to filter and disinfect surface water sources. Some water systems are allowed to use disinfection only for surface water sources that meet criteria for water quality and watershed protection.

The Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule addresses the health effects associated with Cryptosporidium in surface water used as a drinking water supply. These guidance documents provide information on the source water sampling monitoring requirements for Cryptosporidium and the treatment requirements for vulnerable surface water supplies based on sampling.

Fact Sheets for LT2 Rule

• Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule Fact Sheet (PDF) (4 pp, 44 K, About PDF) EPA 815-F-05-002

• LT2ESWTR Source Water Monitoring for Systems Serving At Least 10,000 People Factsheet (PDF)(4 pp, 102 K, About PDF) EPA 816-F-06-017

• LT2ESWTR Source Water Monitoring for Systems Serving Less Than 10,000 People Factsheet (PDF)(4pp, 88 K, About PDF) EPA 816-F-06-018

• LT2ESWTR Data Collection and Tracking System Factsheet (PDF)(2 pp, 62 K, About PDF) EPA 816-F-06-019

• LT2ESWTR Laboratory Factsheet (PDF)(2 pp, 45 K, About PDF) EPA 816-F-06-020

Project schedule as proposed (may be modified)

Date	Activity
Summer - Fall 2024	Initial Project Kick-Off Project Advisory Committee #1 Public Workshop #1
Summer 2025	Project Re-introduction Stakeholder Outreach Data Collection Alternatives Analysis Public Workshop #2
Fall 2025	Stakeholder Outreach Alternatives Analysis Public Workshop #3 Report Development
Winter 2025-26	Stakeholder Outreach Report Development Environmental Assessment
Spring 2026	Public Workshop #4 Stakeholder Outreach Environmental Assessment Report Development
Summer 2026	Stakeholder Outreach Environmental Assessment Report Development
Fall 2026 – Winter 2027	Stakeholder Outreach Environmental Assessment Report Development
Spring 2027	Environmental Assessment Final Report Completion Final Recommendations