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Glens Falls ice-rink chiller leak draws DEC investigation; temporary shutdown possible
Summary
City officials told the Water and Sewer board that glycol was detected inside the rink chiller pit, not outside, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is overseeing testing and a proposed temporary "fix-a-flat" coagulation repair while the city seeks grant funding to replace the system.
City of Glens Falls Water and Sewer officials told the board Sept. 15 that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is treating an anomalous glycol detection in the ice-rink chiller pit as a spill and is overseeing testing and cleanup. The presiding official said consultants from LaBella carried out tests that found glycol inside the chiller pit but "no glycol was found around the outside at all, just in the chiller pit," and that DEC asked the city to dig test wells around the perimeter and in the pit. That testing led to a cleanup plan the city described as a temporary coagulation repair — described in the meeting as a "fix-a-flat" approach — which would be done under DEC review while the city applies for grant money to replace the chiller system. The presiding official said city staff would suggest shutting the facility for the entire season if a leak is confirmed. "To get that approval, we're gonna suggest that if there's a leak of any kind, that we shut the facility down for the entire season," the presiding official said. Officials said the city is coordinating with ice-rink users, including youth hockey and school teams, and intends to notify the school district about possible closure; however, they stressed the ultimate decision on reopening rests with DEC. The board reported a target date to open of Oct. 15, but the presiding official said, "We can't guarantee it until DEC says." Board members said an anonymous report from an environmental attorney prompted DEC's spill-response team to investigate, and that the city has hired LaBella to perform the recommended testing and to share findings with DEC. Officials said current glycol levels "are reduced almost to nothing," but that DEC is treating the matter as it would a toxic spill and required the testing and oversight. The presiding official said the city is proceeding only with measures DEC approves. Next steps the board described include continuing DEC-approved testing and cleanup, consulting with rink users about a potential seasonal shutdown, and pursuing grant funding for system replacement.
