Rochester Reporter

The City of Rochester is preparing to enhance the Highland Reservoir and is seeking public input for the project. Residents are invited to learn more and share their thoughts with city officials on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Olmsted Lodge in Highland Park, located at 171 Reservoir Ave.

Highland Reservoir is situated within Highland Park, a historic arboretum designed by Frederick Law Olmstead. It serves as one of Rochester's three drinking water reservoirs. The project aims to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2). This rule requires that open, finished water storage facilities be either covered or equipped with treatment methods. Currently, the water in Highland Reservoir is sourced from the City's Rush Reservoir, which is already covered.

Since 2012, Rochester has been operating under a Bilateral Compliance Agreement with both the Monroe County Department of Public Health and the New York State Department of Health to address LT2 compliance issues. The City is exploring several options to fulfill these requirements.