Plans are now in place for multimillion-dollar upgrades at one of Orange County’s sewage treatment plants that officials say is at or near maximum capacity.

County officials say Sewer District 1 in Harriman will undergo a roughly $200 million expansion to meet the growing demand.

The plant serves parts of Monroe, Chester and Woodbury, along with several villages within those areas.

Officials say the plant is authorized to discharge 6 million gallons of treated sewage a day into the Ramapo River and that the new facility would have the capacity to handle nearly three times that amount, if necessary, with future modifications.

“Orange County is seeing tremendous growth,” says Orange County Attorney Rick Golden. “It’s viable and working toward trying to meet all the needs of all the people. It’s always a challenge to keep up with growth but it’s a blessing to have.”

Officials say local leaders in Monroe and the Village of Chester have been advised that new construction in some of those areas can no longer connect to Sewer District 1 until the municipalities complete storm water upgrades to free up some of their usage. They say projects can still be approved with alternate options for sewage discharge and treatment.

The upgrades are expected to be completed by 2028.

Officials say residential taxpayers in Sewer District 1 will eventually be billed over a several years for the expansion, but that the exact cost per household will depend on financing and is currently unknown. The project’s final environmental impact study is under review by the county legislature and could be approved as early as July.