Watkins discusses wastewater plant issues

    WATKINS GLEN—The village of Watkins Glen board of trustees discussed several wastewater treatment plant matters at the regular meeting held on Tuesday, June 19.
    Trustees and plant superintendent Bart Crary discussed infiltration into the wastewater system from outside sources, the pending Department of Environmental Conservation consent order, and the results of the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System inspection report. The board also approved the purchase of a programmable logic control system to better regulate chlorine usage.
    Trustee Scott Gibson explained that inflow infiltration occurs when water that does not require wastewater treatment somehow enters the wastewater system. He said this occurs when storm drains cross over, sump pumps and roof gutters are installed incorrectly, through compromised pipes, and when small streams are allowed to enter the system. Crary said that the treatment plant uses biological processes to break down material in the wastewater and that large amounts of freshwater infiltration can make it difficult to maintain the balance necessary to ensure proper functioning. Trustee Paul Clifford said that correcting the inflow infiltration problem could prove to be a costly undertaking, but that even if the plant is moved, “all of this work will still apply and will still be helpful.”
    The village anticipates entering into a consent order with the DEC stemming from certain problems associated with the plant. One of the requirements of the consent order is that the village develop a inflow infiltration work plan to begin correcting the infiltration problem. To that end, the village board approved hiring the consulting firm of Barton & Loguidice at a cost of $4,900 to examine the infiltration issue and assist in developing a work plan.
    The discharge from the water treatment plant was also a topic of discussion. Crary explained that the plant’s chlorine controller has two set points, a high and a low. When the flow level reaches the low set point the chlorine turns on and continues to run until the level reaches the high set point. The result, said Crary, is that the chlorine and chloroform levels in the water discharged from treatment plant can vary greatly.
    The DEC regulates the amount of chlorine and chloroforms that can be discharged, and once the village enters into the consent order, these fluctuations will cost the village money said Crary. “This is something we need to control, we are in a pretty tough spot with the DEC,” said Mayor Mark Swinnerton. The board then approved the purchase of a programmable logic controller which is designed to automatically adjust the chlorine level based on residual levels rather than flow levels, said Crary. The SPDES inspection report indicated only marginal compliance in this area, explained Crary, and the new controller should correct that problem. The cost for the controller is less than $10,000.
    In other business:
    • The board accepted the bid from Sidle Insurance for the village’s insurance coverage. Sidle was recommended by Swan & Sons-Morss Co. who the village hired to act as a consultant through the insurance bidding process. Bids were also received from E.C. Cooper Insurance and the Perry & Carroll agency.  Representatives from the insurance companies spoke briefly about the process and all concurred that the village should have provided more notice.
    The next village board meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 9 at 7 p.m.