The City of Plattsburgh has completed the third phase in a multi-year project targeting wastewater contamination from storm drainage systems. The project, when complete, will significantly reduce phosphorus, E. coli, and other harmful discharge from Plattsburgh’s stormwater outfalls to Lake Champlain.
Several urban areas within the Lake Champlain watershed use combined sewer systems. For decades, coordinated efforts across the basin have successfully reduced pollution entering Lake Champlain from combined sewer overflows (CSOs).
The City of Plattsburgh relies in part on a combined sewer and stormwater system that serves some of the city. In prior phases of the project Plattsburgh identified several illicit discharge points present within its sewer system. Illicit discharges are common in combined sewer systems and occur where wastewater or industrial process water enter stormwater-only drainage systems and contribute to the contamination of surrounding waterbodies.
During initial phases of the project work, partners assessed 72 stormwater outfalls in Plattsburgh City and Town, 22 of which were highlighted for advanced investigation. All but six storm drains have been assessed by Stone Environmental, a Montpelier-based environmental consulting firm contracting for the City of Plattsburgh Department of Public Works. The final six outfalls were visited over the course of spring 2024.
Final reporting estimated potential reductions in phosphorus and E. coli, and provided a comprehensive plan for eliminating illicit discharges and improving both local and lake-wide water quality.