Communities along the Susquehanna River can expect more untreated wastewater from Binghamton in the year ahead.

Hundreds of millions of gallons of untreated water has been discharged into the river in Binghamton in recent months.

The trouble occurs during periods of heavy rain generating too much water to be handled by the Binghamton-Johnson City Joint Sewage Treatment Facilities in Vestal.

This discharge point is north of Pennsylvania Avenue near South Washington Street. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
This discharge point is north of Pennsylvania Avenue near South Washington Street. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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According to The Times Leader in Wilkes-Barre, about 35 million gallons of untreated waste entered the Susquehanna in Binghamton last week.

Mayor Richard David said when the system is overwhelmed, only a certain amount of water can be treated.

Millions of gallons of untreated waste flows into the Susquehanna River across from the Court Street bridge. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Millions of gallons of untreated waste flows into the Susquehanna River across from the Court Street bridge. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program last week, David said the wastewater discharges "will continue in the future."

The mayor said public health experts have not indicated "that there is a significant public safety risk."

David said the city is not facing any potential penalties for the ongoing discharges of untreated wastewater.

Although a New York alert system routinely transmits notifications of untreated water discharges into the Susquehanna from Binghamton, communities along the river in other states are not advised.

A state government system distributes reports about untreated waste in the city of Binghamton. (Image: NY-Alert)
A state government system distributes reports about untreated waste in the city of Binghamton. (Image: NY-Alert)
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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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