FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE01-44
October
9, 2001
Contact: Geoff Ryan
(718/595-6600)
26th
Ward Wastewater Treatment Plant To Shut Down For Emergency Repairs
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will be shutting
down the 26th Ward Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) for emergency repairs
on Thursday, October 11th, according to an announcement by DEP Commissioner
Joel A. Miele Sr., P.E. The repairs will require a bypass of wastewater to
Jamaica Bay for a period of up to 72 hours. The facility is located on Flatlands
Avenue in Brooklyn.
On September 13th, a 54-inch force main in the plant, which delivers wastewater
from the main pumping station within the plant to the treatment facilities,
developed a severe leak. Two subsequent efforts at temporary repairs failed
to resolve the problem, because the condition of the main was less stable
than initial investigations revealed. Accordingly, DEP began implementation
of a contingency plan that will not only resolve the immediate problem but
will also ensure that such a condition does not occur again.
The main elements of emergency work involve several items. DEP will install
a steel liner in the ruptured force main as well as a gate valve that will
provide the ability to shut off one force main for repair or inspection while
utilizing a second force main to continue the flow of wastewater to the treatment
facilities within the plant. DEP will implement the permanent installation
of two pumps that will divert wastewater from the wet well serving the ruptured
main to another 54-inch force main, which will deliver wastewater to the plant's
tresatment facilities. Additionally, as part of the operation, the wet well
wall will be reinforced.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has approved
DEP's plans and concurs that the immediate repairs and associated plant shutdown
and bypass are required and that no reasonable alternative is available to
address this emergency. DEC has stated that to delay undertaking the repairs
could result in total plant failure for a more extended period of time. Other
agencies that have been involved in the decision-making process include the
United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Interstate Environmental
Commission, the New York State Department of Health and the New York State
Environmental Facilities Corporation.
Normal flow to the plant equals about 60 million gallons a day, but not
all of the flow will be bypassed to the bay. DEP expects to capture and treat
about 2 to 3 million gallons a day during this period and will also capture
for later treatment an additional 10 million gallons at the Spring Creek combined
sewer overflow facility.
Notices of the wastewater bypass (below) have been posted at public access
points and outfalls in the affected area.
WARNING!
Avoid
Contact with these waters
The
26th Ward WPCP will be shut down for a
3
day period between October 10-16, 2001
These
Waterways could be affected
by the elevated level of coliforms
due to sewage bypass