The Town of Bethany in Genesee County, New York has officially broken ground on a transformational $33 million water infrastructure project that will bring public water access to hundreds of residents across a rural region that has long relied on individual wells and water hauling. According to RochesterFirst, published January 6, 2026, construction crews mobilized on Tuesday to launch Water District No. 5, marking the beginning of a years-long effort to modernize water delivery in this upstate New York community.
For the approximately 300 homes, 3 businesses, and 6 dairy farms that will be served by this water system, the project represents a fundamental quality-of-life improvement. Previously, residents had no access to public water—a situation that meant frequent trips to neighboring towns to fill storage containers, often in harsh winter conditions. Family members have spoken about hauling water in freezing temperatures and occasionally using relatives' homes for basic needs like bathing.
The path to this groundbreaking has not been straightforward. Town Supervisor Carl Hyde Jr. explained that the project faced significant financial hurdles during the pandemic. "COVID hit, ductile iron went to $33 million from $16 million, so that was ridiculous," Hyde said in an interview with RochesterFirst. The dramatic cost increase forced project engineers and town officials to reassess their approach.
Rather than scaling back the project, the team pivoted to more cost-effective materials. The town switched from ductile iron pipe to PVC pipe, which achieved meaningful savings without compromising system quality or longevity. This engineering adjustment allowed the project to move forward despite significant commodity price inflation.
The $33 million Bethany Water District infrastructure project includes several critical components:
Town Supervisor Hyde indicated that this groundbreaking represents the completion of Phase 1 planning and the beginning of actual construction. Hyde plans to meet with the USDA in the coming weeks to discuss Phase 2 of the project. These discussions will likely focus on expanding water infrastructure to additional areas and potentially securing additional funding for system expansion or enhancement.
The phased approach allows the town to deliver immediate benefits to the initial service area while maintaining flexibility for future growth and regional expansion.
Deputy Town Supervisor Diane Fowler emphasized the broader implications of this infrastructure investment. "We have started to put in place some meetings and committees and look at our comprehensive plan," Fowler said. "We want Bethany to build out now that it's a desirable community. We have public water, and that will absolutely change the dynamic going forward."
This comment highlights a critical insight: water infrastructure is not just about improving current residents' lives—it's about positioning communities for future economic development. The availability of reliable public water makes a region significantly more attractive for new residential development, business expansion, and agricultural operations.
For the six dairy farms in Bethany's service area, access to reliable public water offers substantial operational benefits. Modern agriculture depends on clean, consistent water supplies for livestock, irrigation, cleaning operations, and processing. Public water infrastructure reduces dependence on well systems that can be vulnerable to drought, contamination, or capacity issues.
This project aligns with broader state and federal priorities to modernize rural water infrastructure across New York. Rural communities have historically faced challenges in securing funding for water projects due to lower population densities and smaller revenue bases. The successful funding and development of the Bethany Water District No. 5 project demonstrates that state and local authorities continue to prioritize these critical investments.
With groundbreaking officially complete, construction crews will begin the work of laying 28 miles of pipe, installing the pump station, and constructing the storage tank. Water infrastructure projects of this scale typically involve multiple construction phases and timelines measured in months to years, depending on weather, site conditions, and supply chain factors.
While the specific construction timeline was not detailed in the RochesterFirst report, large-scale water infrastructure projects like this often require 18-36 months of active construction. Once operational, the system will serve hundreds of households and farms with improved water access and reliability.
Beyond the immediate infrastructure benefits, this project positions Bethany for sustainable growth. With public water in place and town officials actively reviewing comprehensive plans for development, the community can now attract new residents, support business growth, and improve overall quality of life.
Industry Insight: Westside Construction Group brings 30+ years of experience managing complex water and infrastructure projects across Upstate New York, serving municipalities, water districts, and regional development initiatives. Whether your project involves water system design, installation, or management, WCG delivers expertise and reliability. Contact us at (585) 440-0304 or visit www.buildwcg.com for more information on how we support infrastructure development in your community.
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