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Niskayuna staff report recent water‑main breaks, meter upgrades and wastewater plant work
Summary
Town staff described seven water‑main breaks in May (two large), plans to upgrade meter‑reading frequency and software, sewer pump‑station generator installations, and wastewater‑plant contractor work including digesters receiving dairy waste for revenue.
Town staff gave a multi‑part update on water and sewer operations, covering water‑main breaks, meter‑reading upgrades, sewer pump‑station repairs, and wastewater‑plant projects.
Water and meters: Staff reported seven water‑main breaks in May, with two described as large events. They said the town is upgrading data‑collection software and exploring monthly drive‑by meter reads to generate alerts for unusually high use. Staff noted the meters can download roughly 90 days of data, which can reveal hourly usage trends; they discussed producing a short how‑to video to help residents read Neptune 5/8‑inch meters and verify usage before requesting a field visit.
Sewer and pump stations: The sewer crew installed a new generator and transfer switch at a pump station and is planning control‑panel upgrades. Staff said CCTV inspections cover a large share of the system (an estimated 85%) and that camera footage helps locate service laterals for residents.
Wastewater plant and digesters: Roger Sharp, who said he is in charge of the wastewater plant, described recent hires and facility cleanup, and said outside contractors (Barton and others) are reviewing major systems — including the belt press, sludge dryer and UV systems — to determine needed repairs. Staff also reported bringing in high‑strength dairy waste (SAF) from a nearby dairy processor (about eight trucks per week, roughly 8,000 gallons each at $0.12 per gallon), which the town is using to ramp digesters while avoiding overload.
Lead/copper and corrosion‑control work: Staff said they are updating the lead inventory, obtaining owner permission to confirm service materials at 20–30 properties, and plan the second round of lead and copper sampling beginning July 1 (60 samples). They reported that corrosion‑study coupons were pulled May 15 and results returned to staff and submitted to MJ Engineering; staff expect MJ’s analysis and recommendations soon and said the firm will include cost estimates.
Why it matters: The combined updates touch operational reliability (main breaks and pump stations), financial and environmental opportunities (digesters revenue), and compliance with lead/copper rules and corrosion‑control requirements. The meter‑reading improvements aim to help residents identify leaks or abnormal use earlier, reducing costs and unplanned repairs.
What’s next: Staff will assemble procedures for handling high‑bill complaints, post a public‑friendly summary of the corrosion‑control study, and continue coordination with DOH and MJ Engineering.
