So far, all the parties are saying the right things. Leaders in Auburn and surrounding towns are all expressing interest in forming a regional sewer and water system.

And all of them are quick to point out the key to whether it can be done is in the details.

Who would be in control of such an entity? How would rates be determined? How would maintenance be handled?

They are among the major questions that clearly must be addressed.

But most of those questions come back to one underlying issue - whose turf is being protected.

If a new system is to take off, every municipality and entity will need to let go of some power. Instead of fighting that, though, they should just be making sure that their residents' are being protected.

Combining these services - particularly water distribution - makes overwhelming common sense. We currently have a system in which more than half of the county's residents are getting water from the same source, Owasco Lake. Yet the entities they're paying to bring that water to their homes and businesses are extremely fragmented.

Merits of a consolidated system would include more efficient delivery because costs are spread out and the elimination of contentious rate fights between the city and towns.

That, in turn, would help keep rates more stable, which is a win for customers.

We urge leaders to make this project a top priority.