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Fredonia trustees hear wastewater plant problems and public concerns over Lake Erie water
Summary
Public comment raised concerns about Lake Erie water and combined sewer overflows while trustees and staff reported excessive sludge at the village wastewater plant, aging Headworks pumps, and ongoing lead‑testing and chlorination discussions; a Tonawanda plant tour was approved.
A Village of Fredonia public commenter and municipal staff used the Jan. 21 meeting to highlight water quality and wastewater operations issues and the board approved a staff tour of the Town of Tonawanda wastewater treatment plant.
Public comment: James Linden, a resident, warned against switching the village’s water source to Lake Erie, citing published figures for combined sewer overflow and concerns about microplastics and algal toxins. “You're charged with the health and safety of our community. We don't have this stuff in our reservoir. Why would you as a board put us at risk?” Linden said, asking trustees to consider local reservoir options and study proposals carefully.
Nut graf: Trustees received both citizen input about regional water sourcing and technical updates from department supervisors, who described operational problems at the village wastewater plant and options staff are studying to address them.
Wastewater plant: Trustee Wandel summarized a DPW committee visit with Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor David Felt. He said the plant’s clear well tank has about two feet of sludge in a six‑foot‑deep well following an overflow event and staff are evaluating options including sump pumping or using a diver; limited access complicates the cleanup. “The goal is to clear out this exact excessive muck, but the challenge is how to do it,” Wandel said, reporting that the supervisor is also considering a borescope to better assess the impacted area.
Wandel reported the Headworks grit pumps are “nearing end of life,” likely original to the plant built in 1978, and that quotes for replacement are being sought. He said biosolids are currently trucked to landfill roughly every other day and the plant supervisor is studying whether alternate processes could generate revenue or reduce hauling costs. An inspection of the aeration (ferret) tank system is scheduled for March 4, a five‑year cyclical inspection.
Lead testing and chlorination: Trustee Esperson said recent meetings with the Chautauqua County Department of Health discussed short‑term chlorination fixes, which were costly, and that the village will wait for grant opportunities to fund larger work. She described the village’s letter program on lead testing: affected residents receive a form and can request a free sampling kit but the laboratory test costs about $45–$50 and will be billed to the property owner.
Tour approval: The board approved a visit by Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor David Felt and Tony Mistretta to tour the Town of Tonawanda wastewater treatment plant on May 6, 2025, at no cost to the village. The motion passed with the trustees voting aye.
Ending: Trustees directed staff to continue developing technical options and to pursue appropriate grant and engineering assistance; no specific capital appropriation or timetable was adopted at the workshop.
