$27 million in repairs and upgrades coming for Niagara Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant

$27 million in repairs and upgrades are in the works for the Niagara Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant. 

The plant made international headlines after discharges of dark, smelly wastewater into the Niagara River were caught on camera. The Niagara Falls Water Board blamed outdated infrastructure for those discharges.

On Wednesday, Governor Cuomo announced that the state is investing $13.5 million into the plant with a matching investment from the Niagara Falls Water Board. 

The projects to upgrade the Niagara Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant include: 
 
•    improving primary treatment systems and equipment; 
•    making improvements to the sedimentation basin and related equipment; 
•    rehabilitating the Gorge Pumping Station; 
•    replacing screens and equipment to remove grit; 
•    upgrading the dewatering system; 
•    replacing the granular activated carbon system and filter support equipment; 
•    completing critical repairs and improvements to the electrical, lighting, and heating and ventilation systems; 
•    optimizing disinfectant dosage; and 
•    replacing blower equipment and piping. 

"Protecting water quality and our natural resources is essential to the health of our residents and the future growth of our communities," Governor Cuomo said. "These investments will help the Niagara Falls Water Board modernize its aging water infrastructure and prevent future pollution of one our state's most treasured waterways." 

The DEC has ben monitoring the facility since the discharge in August of 2017 and will continue that oversight as they upgrades take place and additional long-term options for full upgrades to the plant are being considered. 

City of Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster said, "This is yet another welcome investment by Governor Cuomo who continues to take an aggressive stance on addressing the critical need for the modernization of our aging water infrastructure. The improvement projects announced today will help to ensure cleaner, more efficient operations at our waste water treatment plant for many years to come." 
 

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