FALLSBURG — The Mountaindale Wastewater Plant is currently operating at close to capacity, and during the summer months, when the town has an increase of residents, the plant goes beyond its …
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FALLSBURG — The Mountaindale Wastewater Plant is currently operating at close to capacity, and during the summer months, when the town has an increase of residents, the plant goes beyond its limits.
Delaware Engineering D.P.C. has been hired to evaluate the needs of the town, propose a major upgrade to the plant and gave a presentation on May 15 during the Fallsburg Town Board meeting.
Helen Budrock, Senior Planner at Delaware Engineering, explained that existing flow to the Mountaindale wastewater treatment plant was approximately 131,000 gallons per day, but the plant has a permitted capacity of 180,000 gallons. However, with the current approved and proposed developments, the plant’s capacity will be exceeded.
Sewer permits have already been issued for two upcoming housing developments: Mountain Acres and Sapphire. Mountain Acres will consist of 140 housing units, while Sapphire will have 70 units.
This situation is not unique to the Mountaindale plant, and an aging infrastructure and population growth have put pressure on wastewater treatment plants across the town such as South Fallsburg, which is already in the process of upgrading.
According to Budrock, a typical waste water treatment plant upgrade can take three to five years from design to construction and can involve improvements to the collection system which will reduce infiltration and inflow of stormwater into the system.
Delaware Engineering discussed grants available for water and sewer infrastructure projects that could cover some of the cost of the upgrade and suggested the town board will need to act quickly to take advantage of these funding opportunities during the current cycle.
The town board is now considering a local law to prohibit sewer permits for new developments in Mountaindale until the capacity issue is resolved, similar to what was done for the South Fallsburg Waste Water Treatment Plant.
A public hearing will be needed to pass the local law, which could take place in July
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