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Letter from DEC puts Swan Lake sewer plant on a ticking timer

Derek Kirk
Posted 2/4/25

SWAN LAKE — In December, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) sent the Liberty Town Board a letter …

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Letter from DEC puts Swan Lake sewer plant on a ticking timer

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SWAN LAKE — In December, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) sent the Liberty Town Board a letter demanding an answer on their plan to address the Swan Lake Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) by February 14. With the help of Delaware Engineering, the Town Board brainstormed on their next steps. 

The meeting on January 30 was the continuation of the recessed meeting from the week prior. The two main priorities were to discuss how to proceed in responding to the DEC’s letter and provide the State agency with their plans to correct the four State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) violations found within WWTP, and move toward total complacency with State code, as well as discuss alternatives to the $40,000,000 proposed plant, which faced sharp and consistent criticism from Swan Lake and town residents. 

After deliberation, the Town Board landed on telling the DEC that they plan to hire out a third party company to diligently monitor the WWTP screens, which faces possible blockages, causing overflow, in addition to installing an extra 5,000 gallon tank. In the meantime, they hope to construct the new plant within two to three years. 

“If this works, it is a reasonable solution while building out a plan,” Town Supervisor Frank DeMayo said.

The four violations found within the 35-year old WWTP could result in fines up to $37,500 per day, per violation. 

Town employees who work at the WWTP noted at the meeting of the constant strain due to the incessant attention required in the clearing out of rags and solid waste caught up in the system to prevent overflow, even when not at peak season.

Delaware Eng. is currently conducting an I&I study, or “Inflow and Infiltration” study, to locate users that utilize excess water, which in turn causes more pressure to be put on the aging, 425,000 gallon plant. To mitigate such costs, the town board entertained the idea of fining those of the 371 total users who are in violation of the I&I to contribute to covering a part of the fines.

This would “give the law some teeth,” according to Board member Bruce Davidson, pushing those in violation of I&I toward compliance as well. 

“Playing it forward, [Delaware Engineering] will draft a response letter [to the DEC] saying here are the violations, and here is how we’re going to do it,” Delaware Engineering Principal Engineer, Dave Ohman, said, who previously noted it could take the DEC between 6 to 10 months to review any and all information to be submitted.

Alternatives to  the $40 million

While there was no vote held for any definite action Thursday evening regarding the WWTP, the board discussed what could be a good alternative to the $40 million dollar price tag, should several factors come into play. 

The board discussed the possibility of a two-resolution solution, wherein in one resolution, they would pass the project forward at $40 million at 960,000 GPD, joined by a second resolution stating that it would move forward if the project contains a zero interest loan of $15 million or less. If it ends up being more than that figure, then the town will continue to search for other alternatives.

Delaware Engineering noted their goals to upgrade the WWTP are to eliminate chronic violations, provide capacity and treatment capabilities for the next 25-30 years and mitigate financial impacts by securing adequate financing and complete work as soon as possible to mitigate cost increases. All of which was shared by members of the town board.

“We have been spending so much time looking backwards,” said Board member John Lennon Jr., “at some point, we have to forget backwards – this is where we are, and we have to move forward…”

One plan of attack to lessen the burden of the hefty price tag proposed by Delaware Engineering was targeting funding via BIL, WIIA and WQIP public infrastructure grants, as well as from USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program, CDBG (Community Development Block Grants) and CSC (Climate Smart Communities).

This is an ongoing story, as with the DEC’s timer still ticking, the board held their regular meeting last night, February 3. 

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