September 24, 1999

Contact: Geoff Ryan (718/595-5371)

Outstanding Wastewater Treatment Award Presented To New York City's Port Jervis Plant

Commissioner Joel A. Miele Sr., P.E., of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today that The Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA) has presented a "Peak Performance Award" to DEP's Port Jervis Wastewater Treatment Plant "in recognition of its complete and consistent National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit compliance during the year 1998."

Commissioner Miele said, "I am proud that our staff members work so diligently to ensure that wastewater at the Port Jervis plant is treated and disinfected according to the standards of its operating permit. In a letter to me announcing the award, AMSA said, 'Congratulations on your facility's outstanding wastewater treatment efforts.' Well, the congratulations go straight to DEP's plant operators who consistently do their best to protect the waters of the Delaware River, one of the great natural and recreational resources of the Northeast."

AMSA provides information and support to wastewater treatment plant operators across the country. To be eligible for Its Peak Performance Awards, facilities must be designed for a flow of two million gallons a day (MGD) or more. The design flows of New York City's other upstate wastewater treatment plants are lower than 2.0 MGD and, therefore, are not eligible for the AMSA awards.<:P>

The Port Jervis Wastewater Treatment Plant started operations in 1953, with a design flow of 5.0 MGD. Although Port Jervis is not in the watershed of the City's upstate reservoirs, the City constructed and operates the plant in accordance with the Supreme Court decrees which enabled the City to build the Cannonsville, Neversink and Pepacton Reservoirs on tributaries of the Delaware River. An extensive upgrade of the plant is currently in the design phase, with construction expected to start in 2003.