SKANEATELES - With the state Department of Health requiring the Village of Skaneateles to develop ultraviolet treatment for its water supply, village officials will have to determine how the construction cost will impact negotiations for the renewal of the Town of Skaneateles' water contract next year.

During Monday's village board of trustees meeting, Mayor Bob Green said the ultraviolet water treatment will be used to kill cryptosporidium, which is an organism that causes gastro-intestinal illnesses in people who drink untreated lake water.

Green said the biggest concern was the town would be reluctant to agree to pay for part of the project until there was an estimated cost.

Because the current contract expires next May, Green said officials may have a limited amount of time to create a new contract if the initial study takes three to six months to develop that estimate.

“What we would like to do is get the capital cost and figure out how much or what ratio of that expense we want to pass to the town,” Green said. “If we can get our head around the (ultraviolet) treatment costs, we can go to the town with a number.”

The project, which will need to be finished by March 30, 2012, for the village to comply with state health laws, is still in the early stages of development with Stearns and Wheler contracted to do the initial $25,000 study.

While the two municipalities have historically used three-year contracts, Trustee Marc Angelillo said the village could consider using a one-year agreement if the town was reluctant to agree to pay a portion of the costs, which are still being determined.

“If we have a one-year contract, we could adjust their water rate each year to compensate for the costs of the project,” Angelillo said.

Staff writer Nate Robson can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or nathan.robson@lee.net