City of Albany and Village of Menands - Albany County Water Purification District Sludge Processing Improvements Project

Negative Declaration

Albany County - The Albany County Legislature, as lead agency, has determined that the proposed Albany County Water Purification District Sludge Processing Improvements Project will not have a significant adverse environmental impact. The Albany County Water Purification District (ACWPD) plans to consolidate the solids handling processes at their North and South Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) via the installation of two (2) sludge transfer pumps and a 4-mile 6 inch HDPE forcemain to convey liquid sludge from the South WWTP to the North WWTP, the installation of sludge receiving and dewatering equipment at the North WWTP, and the rehabilitation of the North WWTP sewage sludge incinerator (SSI). A sludge screening system will be installed at the South WWTP ahead of the proposed transfer pumps. Planned North WWTP thickening and dewatering improvements include the installation of two (2) new sludge thickeners and additional sludge dewatering equipment. Planned North WWTP SSI rehabilitation work includes the replacement of refractory linings, burners, ash disposal equipment, and various other miscellaneous items, as well as an upgrade of the SSI's emissions control systems. Other improvements planned as part of this project include the installation of large-bubble mixing systems in the sludge holding tanks at both the North and South WWTP to replace existing mechanical mixers, the replacement of three (3) sludge transfer pumps at the North WWTP, the installation of two (2) new sludge thickeners at the North WWTP to replace the existing dissolved air floatation thickeners, decommissioning of the South WWTP incinerator, and the installation of all associated piping, instrumentation, controls, and appurtenances. The project also includes improvements to the North WWTP's Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) and septage receiving capabilities. A new FOG receiving station and associated decant tank will be installed at the North WWTP, which will separate the FOG component from grease trap waste and generate a low-moisture brown grease product that can be used as a biofuel and sold on commodities markets as a substitute for No. 6 fuel oil. The project is located in the Albany County Water Purification District North and South WWTPs in the City of Albany and Village of Menands, New York.