Millbrook officials alarmed about village stormwater flow

MILLBROOK — A high volume of stormwater is flowing into the village wastewater treatment plant, a village-wide problem described in a recent announcement from the office of Mayor Peter Doro.

The overflow problem has been ongoing and has now reached a point where a solution is needed. The stormwater must be eliminated from the inflow as the wastewater system cannot handle it, and the practice does not conform to current state regulations.

The village’s wastewater operator, VRI, has been measuring and documenting the problem. When the weather is dry, they report that the wastewater treatment plant can handle what comes its way. But, when it rains, inflow often exceeds operating capacity.

The suspected source of the stormwater flow may be found in sump pumps and downspouts discharging into the sewer system.

The mayor’s announcement urges that anyone with a sump pump or downspout connected to the sewer line, or if anyone does not know, simply contact Village Hall and make an appointment for a free inspection. There will be no penalty and village officials will work with the resident to find a solution.

On the other hand, if a resident or business ignores the situation, the village will need to bear the expense of study and investigation to find the offending sump pumps and downspouts. Penalty will be levied and the person responsible will bear the expense of the systems being disconnected.

The mayor’s announcement invites cooperation in resolving this issue.