The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation released this statement Wednesday night:
"Late this afternoon, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation responded to a report from the Niagara Falls Water Board of overflows and discharges associated with the Niagara Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant and associated sewage system. The discharge occurred at a time of heavy rains in the area. DEC immediately initiated an investigation and officials observed badly discolored water in the Niagara River - which clearly constitutes a violation of the State's water quality standards. These continued violations are wholly unacceptable. The NFWB must take immediate corrective measures and DEC will pursue additional enforcement as appropriate as part of our ongoing actions to hold the NFWB accountable and protect water quality. The maximum penalty for violations of the State's water quality standards are $37,500 per day, per violation. DEC will provide additional information as it becomes available."
Shortly after this statement was released, an official statement from the Niagara Falls Water Board was sent. It read:
"On Wednesday, October 4, 2017, a wet weather event occurred in Niagara Falls that resulted in a discharge from the NFWB's wastewater system. The NFWB discharge was an overflow that resulted from volume levels exceeding existing storage and plant processing capacity. This discharge was immediately reported to DEC officials, pursuant to their recent instructions.
"NFWB continues to work to optimize its existing wastewater treatment system, and is committed to providing the best treatment possible using its existing technology.
"The board is aware of the DEC's statement alleging that the resulting discharge violated water quality standards because of its color. The root cause of such overflow occurrences - of which the DEC is well aware and has been working with the NFWB on - is a direct result of outdated infrastructure and system design limitations that impact overall facility capacity during heavy volume periods. The NFWB also has no way of controlling for color or turbidity with respect to the overflow water during a wet weather event.
"While outdated infrastructure and system design limitations impact overall facility capacity during heavy volume periods, extensive efforts do remain underway to identify potential short and longterm solutions to mitigate these existing facility constraints, which in effect cause such wet weather discharge and overflow situations.
"From an overall environmental impact mitigation perspective, the NFWB maintains strong support for massive - and overdue - state and federal investment in capital infrastructure improvements at outdated wastewater treatment facilities across the Great Lakes watershed. True, lasting, state-of-the-art solutions to the challenges facing aging wastewater treatment systems may be too costly for localities to fund, and will require partnership and participation with state and federal elected officials.
"The NFWB remains wholly committed to proper wastewater treatment and the highest quality treatment and distribution of drinking water consistent with public health laws and regulations, as well as the public enjoyment of natural resources, the protection of fish and wildlife, the economic development of the city of Niagara Falls and the general well being of the surrounding area.
"The NFWB will continue to provide periodic public and ratepayer updates on overflow and other discharge matters as such information becomes available. Updates will be available at
www.NFWB.org.
"After further review of this matter, please be advised that the NFWB may also issue a supplemental statement or follow-up response."
