Log in Subscribe

Thompson adopts sewer plan to prevent ‘toxic' water dumps

Patricio Robayo - Staff Writer
Posted 8/17/18

THOMPSON — After a toxic discharge of the coolant lines from Resorts World Catskills' cold water cooling lines in June, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) required the Town of …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Thompson adopts sewer plan to prevent ‘toxic' water dumps

Posted

THOMPSON — After a toxic discharge of the coolant lines from Resorts World Catskills' cold water cooling lines in June, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) required the Town of Thompson to come up with a plan to prevent this in the future.

Thompson fulfilled the requirement and has created “Significant Sewer User Management Plan.”

The toxic load of biocides that entered into the system in June killed off all the bacteria that is used to help break down sludge at the treatment plant.

“The plan that was put in place is not specific to the casino but rather a plan for the town to identify and educate users who could potentially impact the Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW), sewer plants, in a negative way,” said Water and Sewer Superintendent, Michael Messenger.

The water that drained into the system contains biocides, pesticides, and anti-corrosion chemicals.

The biocides that are used in the cooling tower are to help prevent the build up of bacteria in the system that can cause legionnaires disease to spread and is used in large complexes like Resorts World Catskill.

As more and more attractions have opened like the Yo1 Spa center and soon to open attractions like Kartrite Water Park, there is a need now to have a set of guidelines in place to deal with water coming from those businesses.

The purpose of the plan is to facilitate the efficient, economical, environmentally safe, and legal operation of the Town of Thompson's several sewer plants that help serve residents.

“In hindsight, this is something the town should have done a long time ago,” said Messenger. “For any nonresidential building, this plan will be required. A checklist will be provided to the planning board so they know what can and cannot be done. This will open up that line of communication and provide the education that is needed.”

Moreover, the new management plan will set forth uniform requirements for “Significant Sewer Users” and enables the sewer districts within the Town of Thompson to comply with all applicable State and Federals Laws, including the Clean Water Act (33 United States Code [U.S.C.] section 1251 et seq.).

The Kiamesha Lake Treatment Plant needed to be “reseeded” with bacteria with 25,000 gallons from neighboring activated sludge wastewater treatment plants.

After reseeding the treatment plant, it is almost back to 100 percent according to Messenger.

According to the plan, “No Significant Industrial User, or discharges of abnormal sewage, or discharges of unusual strength or character not otherwise provided for in this Plan shall discharge wastewater to the POTW without having a valid Wastewater Discharge Permit, issued by the Superintendent. Such users shall comply fully with the terms and conditions of their permits in addition to the provisions of this plan. Violation of a permit term or condition is deemed a violation of this Plan.”

Furthermore, Messenger praised the response from the Resorts World. “During the whole process, the staff at Resorts World Casino have been very cooperative and have diligently worked with the Town [Thompson] to make sure that something like this never happens again,” said Messenger.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here