Treatment System Tested At Vestal Sewage Plant

A new treatment system is being evaluated at the Binghamton-Johnson City Joint Sewage Treatment Facilities.

The Vestal plant treats more than five-billion gallons of sewage generated by Broome County residents and businesses annually.

Binghamton mayor Richard David says a pilot program utilizes a small "test plant" designed by a Danish wastewater treatment firm.

The study should be completed in four months. It's expected to cost about $174,000.

The different technology ultimately might be used for a biological aerated filtration system. The sewage treatment plant's system was damaged by flooding more than three years ago.

The facility is violating state sewage discharge requirements because the system isn't operating.

Under a consent order with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the plant could be hit with big fines if it fails to make progress toward adhering to the discharge guidelines.