Binghamton Wastewater to Keep Pouring into Susquehanna River

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.

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.

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.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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