On November 19, 2009, the Towns of Marcellus, Otisco, and Spafford were recognized at the American Public Works Association (APWA) Central New York Branch annual fall banquet for their combined efforts in bringing municipal water service to 534 residents within the Towns in the vicinity of Otisco Lake.

Barton & Loguidice was recognized as the engineer for their involvement in all phases of the project for the Southern Onondaga Area Water Districts, winner of the 2009 APWA Central New York Branch Environmental Project of the Year. The project began in 2003 with B&L performing a feasibility study. Upon approval of the study, B&L worked with the Towns to craft an intermunicipal agreement containing creative cost sharing methods for the project and assisted with funding applications. The Syracuse-based firm also provided environmental, design, permitting, bidding, and construction phase services for the project.

The Towns shared project costs for the district formation, environmental analysis, design, legal, administrative, and construction of the project. Construction of the water system started in 2008 and was completed during March 2009. The water system is currently being operated by the Onondaga County Water Authority under contract with the Towns of Marcellus, Otisco, and Spafford.

The residents had experienced problems with poor water quality and quantity from individual water supplies. In addition, the Mountain Glen water system which provided water service to 80 customers in the Town of Spafford had been determined to be "groundwater under the direct influence of surface water" (GWUDI) and was required to secure an alternate source of supply.

Major infrastructure components constructed for the water districts include new water mains, hydrants, gate valves, a bolted steel water storage tank, and a booster pump station equipped with two 60-hp vertical turbine pumps and emergency backup diesel generator. Radio telemetry communication from the new water storage tank communicates with the booster station to efficiently regulate water flow.

The total project cost of the water system improvements was $8,100,000. In order to make the project affordable to residents of the water districts, the Towns secured a $481,000 grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency in addition to a 30 year, 0% interest loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund through the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation for financing of the balance of the project capital cost.

North Country Contractors, LLC, Pinnacle Construction, Inc., Scriba Electric, and Statewide Aquastore, Inc were recognized as the contractors for this project. 

The project was then nominated for and subsequently won a 2009 Environmental Project of the Year award from the New York State Chapter of the APWA.