The Consent Order pertains specifically to wet weather discharges into the Mohawk River from the Sauquoit Creek Pumping Station service area and includes a schedule of project tasks and deadlines for completion.

The situation involves an infusion of storm and groundwater into the sanitary sewer system, which results in the sewer system overflowing beyond its capacity during periods of heavy rainfall and winter snowmelts.  

In addition to conducting comprehensive engineering studies to determine the extent and nature of the repairs, the ultimate goal of this project is the removal of storm and groundwater sources from the sanitary sewer system.  Examples of these sources include failing municipal sewers, leaking private sewer laterals, roof gutters, foundation drains and sump pumps.

By removing stormwater from the sanitary sewer system, capacity in the system will be freed up to accommodate future development, while minimizing the amount of stormwater treated at the Oneida County Water Pollution Control Plant, thus adding capacity to this facility as well.

The problem of wet weather discharges from municipal sewers is national in scope.  Communities across the entire United States with aging infrastructures, like communities in Oneida County, are experiencing similar problems.

The project consulting team includes specialized sanitary engineers, legal and fiscal advisors, and public information specialists.  The team meets regularly with the District’s recently revived Advisory Board and a newly-created Steering Committee, along with elected officials from the District’s member municipalities, members of the community and special interest/citizen groups, to gather and share information, make recommendations, and provide progress and status reports over the duration of the project.

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