Schuyler County Watershed Protection Agency
Staff
Tim Hicks-Watershed Inspector - E-Mail
Originally from Perrysburg, OH, Tim graduated from Bowling Green State University (OH) with a degree in Environmental Science. His professional experience includes internships with both the National Park Service and US Fish and Wildlife Services, AmeriCorps volunteer with Cayuga Conservation Corps, and as the Watershed Resource Specialist with the Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation District. Additional professional accreditation includes Certified Onsite Training Network Inspector/Installer and Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC).
Tim handles program administration, new and replacement wastewater treatment systems, billing, complaints, and regulated facility water quality monitoring for Schuyler County. He can be reached directly at 607-535-6868.
Jim Howell-Watershed Inspector Assistant - E-Mail
Originally from Lansing, NY, Jim graduated from SUNY Delhi and worked four years with the Tompkins County Department of Health before taking the helm as the Watershed Inspector for Schuyler County. He managed the WPA and Watershed Department for the next 31 years until his recent retirement and transition into the assistant position. Jim also worked as the Watershed Inspector for the Town of Wayne for 25 years.
Jim conducts the real estate property transfer inspections, Lamoka-Waneta Lakes wastewater treatment system inspections and conducts the majority of private water supply water quality monitoring. He can be reached directly at 607-535-6869
Contact Information
Schuyler County
Watershed Protection Agency
910 South Decatur Street
Watkins Glen, NY 14891
Phone: (607) 535-6868
Fax: (607) 535-6867
Services and Regulatory Activity (What we do.)
- Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Program - Permitting, Design and Inspections for new and replacement systems
- Real Property Transfer Wastewater Treatment System Inspections and Water Quality Testing
- Lamoka Waneta Lakes Wastewater Treatment System Inspection Program
- Environmental Health Complaint Response and Referral
- Water Well Site Approval
- Water Quality Sampling
Schuyler County WPA has regulatory authority over wastewater treatment systems in the County. The WPA (through its contractual Professional Engineer) provides design and inspection services for most new and replacement wastewater treatment systems.
All real property transfers with a requested inspection (either the buyer, seller, lending institution or attorney) of the wastewater treatment system must be conducted by a representative of the WPA.
The WPA also has complete water quality sampling and monitoring services through our partnership with Eastern Laboratory Services, Ltd., a NY Certified Laboratory for drinking water, wastewater and solid waste. The WPA provides water quality sampling needs for a vast majority of regulated facilities within the County, as well as sampling services for most real estate property transfers, new well construction and some surface water sampling. A courier service provides delivery and pick up to our office Tuesday through Friday, excluding holidays and the day after holidays.
Fee Schedule ( see composite fee schedule below in downloadable forms)
About the Watershed Protection Agency
An offshoot of the Schuyler County Watershed Department, created in 1973 by the Schuyler County Legislature, the Watershed Protection Agency (WPA) is an agency within the Public Health and Community Services Agency of Schuyler County. The original Watershed Department was created by the legislature to provide consistent and adequate disposal and treatment of wastewater generated from homes and other facilities not on a public sewer system, providing county-wide consistency, in an effort to protect public health and protect the water quality of our many lakes and streams.
The WPA is charged with the implementation of the Schuyler County Watershed Protection Law, last updated in 1994. In order to best serve the community, the WPA works cooperatively with the NYS Department of Health Hornell District Office, local Code Enforcement Officers, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, as well as many other local organizations.
While working to maintain and achieve the original objective of 1973, the WPA has grown to also include water quality monitoring services, property transfer inspections, Lamoka-Waneta Lakes Wastewater Treatment Inspection Program, public education and is a valuable local resource for environmental health issues. In addition the WPA responds to general public health nuisance complaints, including but not limited to, garbage and refuse removal, illicit discharges and other offensive materials.
WPA Online Policy and Procedures Handbook (click here)
WPA Downloadable Forms, Brochures and Regulations
