Transcript Document
By Cory Gionet 1 History Discovered around 1450, this lake became the foundation for the Iroquois Confederacy. Located northwest of Syracuse, New York, it is 5 miles long and 1 mile wide. Historically known for its salt springs and salt mining. 2 Location of many homes and beach resorts. Great lake for fishing. 3 CHEMICALS WASTE WATER TOXINS •As Syracuse became more industrialized in the late 19th century, factories continuously dumped sewage and waste into the lake. POLLUTED LAKE 4 Municipal Waste Water • Phosphorus , ammonia and nitrate (from Metro) • Sewage overflow (bacteria and harmful viruses) Allied Corp. • Mercury contamination (aquatic life) • High salinity (salt dissolution) Tully Valley Mud boils • Contribute to excessive sedimentation in the lake • Reduces habitats for insects, fish spawning, plant growth 5 Phosphorus Increase in Algae Reduced Level of Oxygen Sewage Runoff Increase in Bacteria and Viruses Dangerous to Animals and Humans Mercury and Ammonia Damaging to Fish Population Hazardous Fish and Water 6 7 8 •Clean Water Act in 1972 •required that all of New York state's fresh waters should be suitable for swimming and the propagation of fish and other aquatic life •The county and the state banned the use of phosphorus in laundry detergents •A lawsuit was filed against Allied Chemical Corporation to stop mercury dumping •An upgrade occurred at the Syracuse solid waste treatment plant (METRO) to improve sewage treatment •Allied Chemical Corporation's chlorinated benzene and Willis Avenue chlor-alkali plants were closed •Studies were conducted on the impacts of industrial wastes, combined sewer overflows and treated sewage 9 •Use of best management practices for sewer interception which reduced combined sewer overflow events by 90% •Filing of a complaint against the Onondaga County Department of Drainage and Sanitation by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York State Attorney General and the Atlantic States Legal Foundation alleging violation of state discharge permit •Filing of a complaint by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Attorney General against Allied-Signal Inc. alleging pollution violation and resource damage •Industrial pre-treatment program instituted by the County •Closure of Allied Corporation's soda ash facility •Catch and release fishing reinstatement •Closure of LCP-Hanlin's Bridge Street chlor-alkali plant. 10 •Creation of a "Plan for Action" for the Lake written by the newly established Onondaga Lake Management Conference, a group consisting of representatives from local, state and federal governments •Signing of the Amended Consent Judgment by Onondaga County, which requires the County to upgrade existing sewage treatment system and construct facilities and transport system to comply with permit discharge limits and water quality standards •Modifications to pump station at Liverpool and Ley Creek to eliminate raw sewage overflows •Commencement of aquatic habitat restoration projects in Onondaga Lake •Completion of mudboil remediation projects to reduce flow of sedimentation to Onondaga Creek 11 Several improvements made to Metropolitan Syracuse Wastewater Treatment Plant •Insulation of the roofs of digesters #1 and #3 •Replacement of three waste-gas burners •Ventilation improvements in the digester control house •Installation of new instrumentation •Replacement of a sluice gate •Installation of new piping and overflow weirs in the diversion structure. 12 •Along with the updates made in the 1970s on the waste water plant, Biological Aerated Filters were installed into plant in 2004 and have accounted for a massive decrease in ammonia in the lake. Average ammonia-N concentrations in Metro Outfall 001, seasonal basis, 1995-2006 13 •Through new facilities and high-rate flocculated settling, Onondaga Lake has seen dramatic decrease in its phosphorus levels. Average daily phosphorus discharge from Metro, 1990-2006 14 •Restore and maintain the ecosystem of the lake •Allow swimming once again in the lake •Allow fishing propagation again •Allow secondary recreational activities All goals are to hopefully be reached by December 1, 2012 in accordance to the Clean Water Act and Environmental Law. 15 http://www.ongov.net/lake/ol32.htm http://www.ongov.net/lake/ol32.htm http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8668.html 16 17