Residents of Walden can rest easy knowing that Arold Construction conducted a smoke test on the village’s sewer line in August 2023 to ensure that there were no faulty or hidden connections that could cause leaky issues later. Orange County completely financed this and other projects through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)and the HOME Investment Partnership Program, both of which were funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and worth $750,000.

Steve Neuhaus, Orange County Executive, explained in a press release that the money from CDBG and HOME provided funding for various facets of local communities, whether it’s improving accessibility for all residents or revamping municipal utilities.

“These projects help municipalities improve quality of life, create construction jobs and increase access to services for residents with disabilities and the senior population,” Neuhaus said in a recent public hearing. “From infrastructure upgrades to accessibility, these awards will help communities prepare for the future by building a strong foundation for residents and businesses.”

Walden’s project, a smoke test, was a weeklong process that would have cost the village $100,000 without the funding. The procedure involved pumping non-toxic smoke into the sewer system to simulate water inflow and confirm that all connections were running smoothly.

“The company blows a non-toxic smoke into the sewer main and they look to see where the smoke comes out,” said John Revella, the village manager. “It would tell the Village if there are any connections that are not known, including any drainage connections that are not separated from the sewer system.”

Besides Walden, CDBG and HOME funded improvements to the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center’s ADA accessibility, the Village of Chester’s sewer infiltration and inflow, and the Town of Woodbury’s library and senior center.