Sanitary Sewers: A Pipeline to Economic Development

H2M Wastewater Discipline Engineer and Troy Office Director Neil O’Connor, P.E., recently published an article in Albany Business News about the role that robust sewer infrastructure plays in responsible economic development.

The article, “Sanitary Sewers: A Pipeline to Economic Development,” highlights the importance of an expanded and upgraded sanitary sewer capacity capable of meeting the needs of a growing, evolving downtown.

“Wastewater collection and treatment systems serve as a major foundation for sustainable economic development, particularly throughout New York State,” Neil states. “In order to make this growth sustainable in the long term, it is essential that municipalities, private developers, and other stakeholders invest in resilient wastewater infrastructure that can accommodate these revitalization initiatives.”

Neil’s article also discusses H2M’s data-driven approach to sanitary sewer expansion in the City of New Rochelle in Westchester County, New York. In 2015, the City approved a 279-acre Downtown Overlay Zone (DOZ) to accommodate up to 12 million square feet of new residential and commercial development, but lacked the infrastructure to support it.

H2M’s engineers worked to model the existing network, evaluate the projected wastewater demands of the DOZ, and design improvements to support the capacity needed for development. This enhanced sewer infrastructure has double the capacity of its predecessor, setting the City on a path for a downtown revitalization poised to generate more than $76 million and $49 million in annual property and sales tax revenue, respectively. For its innovative approach to economic development, H2M’s design received an ACEC New York Diamond Engineering Excellence Award in 2024 and an ACEC National Recognition Award in 2025.

To read the full article, visit the Albany Business Review website.