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Press Releases
- JUDGE DISMISSES SUIT AGAINST SEWER DISTRICT
December 4, 2007
Orangeburg, NY- The Rockland County Sewer District (District) announced today that U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas, dismissed the lawsuit brought against the District by the Borough Upper Saddle River.
"Judge Karas' dismissal of this suit validates the District's position and we are very pleased by his action today," said Christopher St. Lawrence, Vice Chairman of Rockland County Sewer District. "The District remains focused on our efforts to clean, repair and upgrade the sewer system to better serve our citizens and protect our environment and all of our communities."
In the order, received by the District today, Judge Karas agreed with the Sewer District's motion to dismiss Plaintiffs' claims for failure to have "standing" or to meet the threshold requirements for filing a citizen's suit in federal court.
"The Rockland County Sewer District and the Board of Sewer Commissioners are dedicated to repairing and upgrading the sewer system to eliminate sewer overflows. Julius Graifman, Chairman of the Rockland County Sewer District."
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The Rockland County Sewer District provides wastewater treatment for approximately 200,000 residents. The District is spending more than $125 million to eliminate failed septic systems and build new advanced wastewater treatment facilities that will return 1.5 million gallons of clean water to the Ramapo River, which provides drinking water to 2 million residents in New York and New Jersey. In the last three years, the District has invested over $25 million to inspect, clean, repair and upgrade more than 80% of the system. - The Rockland County
Sewer District (District) released the following statement today:
October 12, 2007
"Earlier today, the Saddle River Pump Station experienced a highly unusual mechanical pump failure causing a small spill near the station. Our teams immediately repaired the pumps to remedy the situation and the station is running properly now," said Dianne Philipps, executive director of the District.
"In recent months the District has begun replacing the three pumps at the Saddle River Pump Station to alleviate this sort of problem in the future. We continue our program to inspect, clean, repair and upgrade the system so that we can achieve our goal of eliminating overflows," Philipps concluded.
The Rockland County Sewer District provides wastewater treatment for approximately 200,000 residents. The District is spending more than $125 million to eliminate failed septic systems and build new advanced wastewater treatment facilities that will return 1.5 million gallons of clean water to the Ramapo River, which provides drinking water to 2 million residents in New York and New Jersey. In the last three years, the District has invested over $25 million to inspect, clean, repair and upgrade more than 80% of the system.
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Rockland County Sewer District Board of Commissioners
Responds to complaint
District Charges Upper Saddle River Suit is Frivolous
Orangeburg, NY- The Rockland County Sewer District Board of Commissioners ("District") filed a timely response today to a Complaint filed by the Borough of Upper Saddle River, New Jersey ("Upper Saddle River") that alleges the District violated the Clean Water Act ("CWA"). The District's response states, among other things, that it did not violate the CWA.
In a citizen's suit filed in U.S. District Court, Upper Saddle River alleges that the District discharged raw sewage on multiple occasions into the Saddle River, violating the CWA. The District's records indicate that minor overflows occurred within the time period alleged by Upper Saddle River with only two exceptions. One was an overflow at South Monsey Road on November 8, 2006. The District has spent more than $300,000 on repairs that will eliminate any future spills at that site. The second incident, reported on August 28, 2006, was the result of vandalism. A manhole on Cherry Lane had been pried open and a large cinderblock was used to partially block sewer lines."The Commissioners' goal is the elimination of overflows. The District has invested millions of dollars into our sewer infrastructure to protect the health and well-being of our citizens and communities," said Christopher St. Lawrence, Vice Chairman of Rockland County Sewer District.
In addition to filing a timely response to the Complaint, the District is pursuing efforts to dismiss this suit based on the failure of Upper Saddle River to meet the threshold requirements for filing a citizen's suit in federal court.
"We are prepared to defend the suit vigorously," continued St. Lawrence. "The District has a responsibility to protect the financial interests of our community. Ratepayer funds should be spent to continually improve the system and not on a frivolous suit."
The Rockland County Sewer District provides wastewater treatment for approximately 200,000 residents within Sewer District No. 1. The District is spending more than $125 million to eliminate failed septic systems and build new advanced wastewater treatment facilities that will return 1.5 million gallons of clean water to the Ramapo River, which provides drinking water to 2 million residents in New Jersey. In the last three years, the District has invested over $25 million to inspect, clean, repair and upgrade more than 80% of the system.
- Rockland County Sewer District No. 1 Receives Peak
Performance Award
September 4, 2007
The Rockland County Sewer District No. 1 has recently been selected to receive a Gold Peak Performance Award for the operation of its wastewater treatment plant in Orangeburg, NY. The Peak Performance Awards program presented by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) recognizes public wastewater treatment facilities for their outstanding compliance records in the 2006 calendar year. NACWA was proud to recognize over 400 Peak Performance Award facilities during the Association’s 2007 Summer Conference and 37th Annual Meeting held this past July in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Rockland County Sewer District No. 1 received the Gold Peak Performance Award for the second consecutive yearwhich honors treatment works that have achieved 100 percent compliance with their NPDES permit for an entire calendar year.
“The Rockland County Sewer District No. 1 is an outstanding example of environmental efforts. NACWA is honored to showcase the achievements of the Rockland County Sewer District No. 1and our nation’s public wastewater utilities through the Peak Performance Awards Program.” Ken Kirk, NACWA’s Executive Director.
The Rockland County Sewer District provides wastewater treatment for approximately 200,000 residents. The District is spending more than $125 million to eliminate failed septic systems and build new advanced wastewater treatment facilities that will return 1.5 million gallons of clean water to the Ramapo River, which provides drinking water to 2 million residents in New York and New Jersey. In the last three years, the District has invested over $25 million to inspect, clean, repair and upgrade more than 80% of the system.
For more information on Rockland County Sewer District No. 1’s water quality efforts, contact Dianne Philipps, P.E. at 845-365-6111, or visit us at www.rocklandnysewerdistrict.org
- GREASE BLOCKAGE UPDATE
August 8th, 2007
On August 2, 2007, a grease blockage occurred in the District’s interceptor off Route 306 north of Grandview Avenue. The blockage caused overflows from the manholes on Kentor Lane and Lois Lane. Through the joint efforts of the Rockland County Sewer District No. 1 (District) and Town of Ramapo (Town), the blockage was located and cleared. Approximately, 6000 gallons of sewage was spilled. The District’s and Town’s employees cleaned up the area. Lime was applied after the clean up as is standard in the industry.
Grease blockages typically occur when residents or businesses pour cooking grease down the drain. It has a tendency to harden in the sewer lines and cause blockages. In the past, the Town has sent out a mailing educating the public on grease and how to dispose of it. The District has an ongoing program to check on businesses to make sure that they have grease traps installed and maintained. While the District and Town have ongoing sewer cleaning programs in known areas of concern, occasionally a grease blockage will occur where none have occurred before. The District and Town will typically investigate the area upstream of the blockage to try and determine the source and prevent any future grease blockages. The District will notify residents of the area what they can do to prevent grease blockages in the future.
- ROCKLAND COUNTY SEWER DISTRICT CONTINUES EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE
OVERFLOWS
July 3rd, 2007
Completes comprehensive study of sewer system and prepares to implement recommendations
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