Clayton Sewer Improvements

What was the problem?

The Village of Clayton faced significant inflow and infiltration (I&I) during heavy rain or snowmelt, overloading its wastewater collection system and treatment plant. This resulted in combined sewer overflows in downtown Clayton, discharging into the St. Lawrence River—a vital commercial and recreational area. Additionally, these high flows led to non-compliant effluent being discharged from the Village’s wastewater treatment plant. These problems threatened public health, aquatic life, and recreational activities.

How did Barton & Loguidice provide a solution?

B&L increased conveyance capacity at the Village’s main pump stations to eliminate illicit overflows and developed an innovative auxiliary side-stream treatment approach to mitigate the effects of I&I at the treatment plant while preserving the existing main treatment process. Key improvements included:

• Installation of 3,200 feet of ductile iron forcemain and conveyance improvements to pump station piping and pumps.
• Construction of a diversion vault to manage excess influent and separate I&I from the main treatment process.
• Addition of a filtration and disinfection building with cloth-media filtration for excess storm flow and tertiary treatment.
• Replacement of the chlorine disinfection system with non-contact UV disinfection.
• Conversion of existing UV tanks to an intermediate effluent lift station.

This approach, the first in New York State to use cloth-media filtration to manage I&I, ensures compliance, protects the St. Lawrence River, and maintains efficient plant operations.

What was the result?

This project alleviated overflows and non-compliant effluent discharges, safeguarding public health and the environment. The innovative upgrades reduced the burden on the existing treatment process, provided reliable tertiary treatment, and delivered clean effluent to the St. Lawrence River, preserving its recreational and ecological value.