Onondaga County residents shared concerns at a recent public hearing about a proposed special sewer district to handle Micron’s wastewater. The county is considering helping the company by building a new industrial sewer district in Clay. Environmental advocate and LeMoyne College adjunct chemistry professor Don Hughes says directing Micron’s wastewater away from the plant is moving in the wrong direction.
“Micron’s already building an industrial wastewater pre-treatment system right on their campus," said Hughes. "Why don’t they just build the whole thing on their campus? They’ve got l,400 acres.”
Several speakers complained about the company not disclosing what chemicals it will use. Another speaker who identified herself as Sue says those unknowns pose a risk.
“So if we don’t know what’s going into the plant, then we don’t know what’s going out of the plant… and then we don’t know what’s going into the wastewater treatment plant and we won’t know what’s coming out of the wastewater treatment plant,” she said.
However, others expressed confidence the company will do the right thing in handling wastewater created during the chip making process. Marco thinks it’s all explained within the final Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
“I’ve done this work for over 35 years and never have I experienced or seen a report that is so thorough and comprehensive that references robust mitigation efforts.”
Other speakers expressed concern that the county might become liable if there was a health or contamination issue at county run sewer districts. The County Legislature is accepting comments through March 3rd on the sewer district proposal. You can email legislature@ongov.net. Click here to watch the recent public hearing.
