For Release: Friday, June 27, 2008
New Permit Would Reduce Phosphorous in Owasco Lake and Inlet
DEC Takes Aggressive Action to Protect Water Quality, Drinking Water Supply
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will release a new draft permit for the Groton (Tompkins County) wastewater treatment plant that will significantly reduce phosphorous discharges into Owasco Lake Inlet, a tributary to Owasco Lake. This action will improve the aquatic health of the water body while protecting drinking water supply for more than 40,000 New Yorkers.
The new permit will decrease phosphorous levels to concentrations at or less than 0.5 parts per million (ppm) or about two pounds of discharge per day from the plant. That is a 50 percent reduction from phosphorous levels of the last two years and a six- to eightfold reduction from four years ago. The permit is connected to a planned upgrade of treatment processes at the plant and includes a schedule of milestones to be met.
Prior to 2005, phosphorous levels in the Groton wastewater plant discharge hovered at about 3-4 ppm (12-16 pounds of discharge per day). In 2006, DEC stepped in with a consent order agreement with the Groton wastewater treatment plant and discharges were reduced to 1 ppm (4 pounds per day).
The Groton plant discharges into Owasco Lake Inlet and is just one source of phosphorous to the lake. In order to fully protect water quality in the lake, other sources of phosphorous in the entire watershed must be identified and reduced. Phosphorous comes from human and animal wastes, fertilizers and polluted runoff from streets and construction sites. Land-use planning will be essential to any successful program to protect Owasco Lake over the long term.
To maximize the Groton facility's operation in the interim, DEC is offering to provide technical assistance. Also, Groton might be eligible for low-interest loans from the state Environmental Facilities Corp. to help cover costs associated with the treatment plant upgrades
There are many problems caused by excess phosphorous in a water body: unsightly algal blooms, low dissolved oxygen levels that harm aquatic life and cloudy water that interferes with swimming and recreation. High phosphorus levels increase organic matter in the water which can be problematic for drinking water and can increase the cost of water filtration.
Underscoring DEC's desire to work cooperatively with local governments, residents, institutions and organizations, it will establish a website specifically for the Owasco Lake watershed to help provide information. A link to the Environmental Notice Bulletin announcement of the availability of the draft permit for Groton will be included on the page. The website will soon be posted at http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/44965.html . DEC intends to publish the draft permit and the associated fact sheet in the July 2 issue of the Environmental News Bulletin, to be followed by a 30-day public-comment period.
