Sewer separation project commences
Use caution while driving along Burdett Avenue
TROY, N.Y. » A project aimed at keeping sewage out of the Hudson River began Tuesday.
The “sewer separation project” is taking place along Burdette Av- enue and will continue for the next four to six weeks, according to Mayor Patrick Madden’s office. People should expect parking restrictions and changes to traffic patterns along the avenue near Detroit Avenue.
The purpose of the project is to keep stormwater separate from normal wastewater, said city spokesman John Salka. Right now, during heavy rains, overflow occasionally mixes with wastewater and discharges into the Hudson River. This is true for a number of communities along the river, he said.
Troy is part of the Albany Pool Communities’ Combined Sewer Overflow Long-Term Con- trol Plan, which is overseen by the Department of Environmental Conservation. The cities and towns involved have agreed to pool their resources and undertake a number of projects per year in order to pollute the Hudson River less. Funding for this project comes from the group, at about $555,000.
Prior to this project, the city had installed permeable concrete and porous pavement along River Street and sidewalks around Monument Square. It’s next project, to be undertaken later this summer, is to install meters at the city’s border to get a sense of how much wastewater is coming through Troy from other communities.
Salka said no ground was bro-
ken Tuesday because of heavy rain, but work will begin in earnest once the weather clears.
Burdett Avenue runs between Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as well as Troy Middle School and Troy High School, so this is an ideal time for the work to be done. Salka said there should be no effect on water service.
“The Collar City continues to make the necessary investments in our sewer infrastructure network as
part of our commitment with neighboring Capital Region communities to improve the health of our city and the Hudson River ecosystem,” said Madden in a release. “We thank our residents and business owners for their patience while this important work is underway.”
The Albany Pool Communities’ Combined Sewer Overflow Long-Term Control Plan (Albany Pool) is made up of Albany, Troy, Rensselaer, Cohoes, Watervliet, and the Village of Green Island. More information on it can be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/ chemical/95122.html