Hinckley Reservoir is a multi-purpose water supply that furnishes drinking water for 130-thousand people in the greater Utica area. It is also a canal feeder and its lower creek produces electricity for a private power company. Mohawk Valley Water Authority Executive Director Patrick Becher says that for almost a century, water output has been managed according to an "operating diagram" which indicates how much water to let out of the reservoir on a daily basis

The issue came to a head when Erie Hydropower filed a damage claim against the state canal corporation for what they call "under releases" that occurred in 2007. Becher explains that the Authority is seeking to intervene in the damage claim to defend the rights of the drinking supply. Becher says its highly unusual for a public authority like the Canal Corporation to be working so closely in concert with a private power company. He'd like to see the issue resolved in a timely manner.

Senator Joe Griffo weighs in: "Water is arguably the most important resource that we rely on. We use it for consumption, for recreation, for conservation and for generation of power. The last several years have seen a contentious disagreement on who controls, who allocates and who is responsible for making sure that we have enough water for all our needs - the most important being safe drinking water. The announcement by the Mohawk Valley Water Authority to file a motion to intervene in a lawsuit because its settlement offer was ignored, points to the fact that we aren't progressing toward a agreement of the Hinckley Reservoir's water level control. I've spoken to the Chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee and requested that a hearing of the Committee be convened to compel all parties to testify as to why we haven't sufficiently progressed to where we need to be. I'll be making an announcement shortly as to the specifics and logistics of the hearing."

Calls to the canal corporation were not returned in time for broadcast.