SCHENECTADY City agrees to stop composting sewage Move should reduce odors from plant BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
The city will stop composting sewage within a week to cut down on odors at the sewage treatment plant. The City Council approved the decision Monday night, agreeing to instead truck sewage away at an annual cost of $554,000. Mayor Gary McCarthy plans to apply for grants to eventually install new drying technology for the sewage. In that case, he said, the quick-drying equipment would keep the sewage fully enclosed, along with whatever odors it gives off. Until now, the city has treated its water and removed all solids, which it then composts until the sludge is dry. But the composting facility is old — it was built in 1977 — and in dire need of repair. The augers that turn the sludge are dying, with one already broken down, and the entire system needs to be rebuilt. It would cost less to haul the sewage away for a couple of years, Deputy Director of Water and Wastewater Paul LaFond told the City Council. McCarthy has repeatedly said he wanted to get rid of the composting because it is the main source of odors that sometimes hang over the entire neighborhood for hours at a time. “We will reduce our potential for odor at the site by a signifi cant number,” he said. “It won’t be 100 percent, but it will be high.” LaFond agreed. “We do the best we can to control the odors,” he said. “We treat the sludge on a regular basis. But overall the hauling process will reduce the odors.” McCarthy also noted that the costs of creating the compost are rising. He wants to switch to a process that could produce a highquality fertilizer or pellets that can be burned as fuel. LaFond said it will likely be two years before the city can buy the new technology. The city took over operation of the sewage treatment plant Jan. 1, after negotiations with operator Veolia fell through. McCarthy said that the city could run the plant at a lower cost than hiring Veolia, but some neighbors said they were afraid the changeover would lead to a dramatic increase in odors. Some residents said the odors were much worse, years ago, when the city ran the plant before hiring Veolia. But others noted that under Veolia, odors still spread throughout the area near the Anthony Street plant, hanging over the many businesses nearby and making residential yards unusable. McCarthy said the city would do a better job at odor control than Veolia, and appointed a group of residents and business owners to start a new odor control committee. The previous committee, organized by Veolia, was ineffective, the mayor said. So far, some of the plant’s closest neighbors say they have not noticed an increase in odors — but haven’t noticed a decrease, either. As for the savings, the city is thus far saving about $720,000 at the plant this year, before taking into account the $250,000 it will spend in the next six months to haul sludge away. McCarthy’s goal was to cut plant costs by $1 million, but the city still could come closer to that goal, because it won’t be paying the electrical costs to compost sludge and because new customers might start paying to dump sewage. .........................>>>>......................>>>>......................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00901&AppName=1
McCarthy said the city would do a better job at odor control than Veolia, and appointed a group of residents and business owners to start a new odor control committee.
What the....
"Approval ratings go up and down for various reasons... An example is the high post 911 support for GWB even though he could be said to be responsible for the event." --- Box A Rox '9/11 Truther'
Melania is a bimbo... she is there to look at, not to listen to. --- Box A Rox and his 'War on Women'
Another project that will not save a dime and in the end will cost the taxpayer more money. The mayor doesn't have a clue on how to correct the real problems this city faces or doesn't want to correct them.
I swear that these elected officials can't fight their way out of a paper bag!!
Doesn't anyone in local government have at LEAST a half a brain??? OMG
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Another project that will not save a dime and in the end will cost the taxpayer more money. The mayor doesn't have a clue on how to correct the real problems this city faces or doesn't want to correct them.
Bravo! Bravo! These DEM liars recently had a presser at the s*** plant saying how City composting would bring in extra revenue. Just like 5,000 new jobs created, tackling the City free friend and family car program and ending DEM patronage. Everything coming out of Mayor McCheese's City Hall is disinformation trying to trick his brain dead supporters. Did you hear the new City jerks wife is running for State Senate? ROTFLMAO!!
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Bravo! Bravo! These DEM liars recently had a presser at the s*** plant saying how City composting would bring in extra revenue. Just like 5,000 new jobs created, tackling the City free friend and family car program and ending DEM patronage. Everything coming out of Mayor McCheese's City Hall is disinformation trying to trick his brain dead supporters. Did you hear the new City jerks wife is running for State Senate? ROTFLMAO!!
