LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. — People in Lake George understand the value of clean water.

"The lake is the economic engine that drives this area, $2 billion economy," Waterkeeper Chris Navitsky said.

But over the years, Navitsky says nutrient pollution has begun degrading quality, changing the lake's landscape and contributing to harmful algal blooms. The organization issued a report a less than a decade ago focusing on high nitrate levels and several years later, the village began construction on a new water treatment plant under a compliance order from the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

"People invest," Navitsky said. “Even the people who have the homes here invest, and that is part of their investment is their lakefront properties or to live in this area."

He said the $24 million project was completed early last year with a combination of federal, state and local dollars. However, New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen Acquario said not every municipal project will have the same level of support.

"There is instances when the local government itself needs to come up with funding to do this and so this amendment will allow local governments to continue to best serve their residents," Acquario said.

The state constitution limits the debt local governments can incur for capital projects to 7% of their property tax base.

"They were worried about local government officials sort of binding future generations and heavy-loading them with debt," Acquario said.

In 10-year increments, since 1963, state voters have approved an amendment exempting sewer and water projects from the cap.

"It's a good measure," Acquario said. "Of course, water and sewer are functions of society that have to be done, that have to be built. We can't live without water and sewer."

The amendment has again been approved by the state Legislature in consecutive sessions and now goes to all voters for the final say. NYSAC said any change to the constitution should be taken seriously, but without the flexibility, local governments may struggle with long-term planning and to cooperate with state efforts to update many old systems.

"It does make sense for large-scale projects that are millions of dollars, to issue debt,” Acquario said. “It's more efficient to pay that back over time and not disrupt an operating expense in any given year.”

Navitsky said the village of Lake George is also looking at updates to its main pump, other nearby communities need costly updates to their treatment plants, and the Lake George park commission this year began a sewer system inspection initiative.

"These communities need to realize the importance of their waters and communities need to work together with their elected officials, with the organizations that work to protect the lakes,” said Navitsky.