May 2025
Village of Red Hook SEWER DEPARTMENT REPORT
At both plants, the UV light systems were repaired/replaced on Tuesday, May 13[th] so the UVs were back in full operation on May 14[th] . The addition of chlorine tablets was discontinued on May 14[th] .
At the Old Plant, the valves were replaced on 5/16 & 17. The Sand filter was repaired and old sand was replaced with fresh sand. The Old Plant was brought back online as of 5/19/25. It takes a while to fill up the tanks in the plant, so the outflow began about a week later. Our first test samples since being back online were taken 5/28/25. The preliminary results from the Old Plant for Ammonia and Fecal Coliform are in compliance. The “bugs” are growing (200 on 5/25, 700 on 5/30) and will take some time to get up to the target quantity currently set at 2000.
The operations of the New Plant have improved significantly; however, we are not yet in full compliance with our lab testing. PureStream, the manufacturer of the New WWTP, visited the WWTP the week of 5/19 to review the plant’s operations with Delaware Engineering and our team. The blowers need to be optimized and the current temporary pumps for the EQ tank will be replaced and made permanent. The weirs were adjusted but they were not optimal so they will be replaced. The “bugs” were measured at 2600 on 5/29.
Engineer/Operator Robert Flores is making a drawing showing all modifications done and proposed to submit to DEC and DOH for approval.
The flow out of the discharge pipe is clear and steady.
Regarding odor issues, in May we had 4 odor complaints – two the same day/time: 5/1/25 – 21 Smith St., 6:25am – 10 minutes then gone 5/10/25 – 38 Cambridge St. & 20 Smith St. 8:30/8:45pm – “smells like sewer” “rotten eggs” 5/21/25 – 20 Amherst – 8:45pm – sewer smell
The odor issues seem to come when there is a surge of wastewater going through the WWTP – which is what was happening 5/1 & 5/10. The one from 5/21 at 20 Amherst is not clear – the residence is located on the far side of Cambridge Dr & Kent Rd. When checked, all was in good order at the WWTPs. It remains to be seen, but so far, especially with the Old Plant now back in operation, the odor complaints have reduced, and the odor doesn’t appear to last long.
Regarding the concerns for the wetlands and erosion of the sub-tributary, DEC sent a team from their restoration group to do a site visit of the Environmental Easement area on the WWTP parcel on May 15[th] . This site is located on the parcel owned by the Village where the WWTPs are located. DEC followed up with a letter dated June 2 responding to questions about the Notice of Violation, SPDES Permit Renewal, Wetland Concerns, Perx Property Cleanup Environmental Remediation, reporting on their site visit, and Health Concerns. They indicated that they did not observe any erosion around the WWTP outfall. They also reported that during the remedial program, it was determined that this site does not pose a significant threat and “further
sampling and remediation are not planned at this time. The contaminant source area was removed, and any residual contaminant concentrations in the wetland were detected below the residential soil cleanup objectives and sediment guidance values.”
We had our third public information meeting on June 5[th] where the above information was shared with the public. Graphs of the lab results for the WWTPs were shared from 2021, when the Village acquired the Old Plant, through May 2025. A timeline of odor complaints and action taken was also shared.
I also have met with and received operator proposals from two companies. Another company said they were too busy. We will reach out to one or two more companies before we present a recommendation to the Board.
We have been sampling weekly since the beginning of April and will continue until we have several weeks of full compliance.