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Ogdensburg officials say wastewater plant operating better but odors persist; staff continue mitigation
Summary
Councilors heard updates on odor complaints tied to the wastewater treatment plant and nearby food-processing effluent. Officials said upgrades improved operations, DEC has been engaged, and the city has taken steps including reducing a major user's discharge; work to fine-tune operations continues.
City staff reported progress at the municipal wastewater treatment plant but acknowledged odors still occasionally affect nearby residents and that mitigation remains ongoing.
The city manager and public works staff said system upgrades have improved plant performance. "The plant is in significantly better shape. It's healthy. It's working well right now," the manager said, while adding that wastewater plants can still produce odors that vary with wind and operational conditions. Staff reported they had worked with a large local food processor to reduce effluent to the plant and that the processor is trucking certain wastes elsewhere at substantial expense.
Councilors recounted visits to affected neighborhoods and described continuing resident frustration. One councilor noted a long-term resident who said she still could not use her yard on certain days. Staff and councilors discussed following the example of other municipalities that faced similar industrial effluent issues and requested further operational briefings and tours so council members could better understand the changed operating regime.
No new regulatory action was taken, but councilors asked staff to continue monitoring odors, pursue technical fixes and, where appropriate, consult outside experts and peer cities. The manager said the department had met multiple times with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), which staff said is satisfied with progress to date.
