An update for our neighbors at the Cedar Creek Water Reclamation Facility in Wantagh, NY

Veolia is working with Nassau County to address recent community complaints about odors at the Cedar Creek Water Reclamation Facility in Wantagh, New York.

Veolia takes all complaints seriously, and as such we are redoubling our efforts to identify the potential sources of any odors, take additional actions that may reduce odor issues, and implement solutions that can satisfy community concerns.

As always, Veolia continues to strive to improve Nassau County's environment by providing efficient, effective and compliant wastewater treatment services that meet or exceed environmental standards.

Routine Odor Control Measures

Routine odor control measures are taken every day to minimize unpleasant odors related to the wastewater treatment process. These measures include, but may not be limited to the following:

• Covering tanks;
• Keeping doors closed;
• Operating and maintaining carbon scrubbers to help remove odors from the most malodorous parts of the process; and
• Collecting data from hydrogen sulfide monitors.

Additional actions

In response to community concerns, we are:

• Scrutinizing our plant operations to identify any new or additional measures we can take to mitigate odors from the wastewater treatment process;
• Collecting additional data around the area to address any possible odor source outside of the usual wastewater treatment processes;
• Engaging an independent expert to conduct a full odor assessment at and around the facility.

If you are experiencing odors, we encourage you to report them to our hotline at 1-866-224-8508.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why do I sometimes smell sewage odors in my neighborhood?

Odors from the Cedar Creek wastewater treatment plant can occasionally occur due to maintenance activities, equipment malfunctions, or weather conditions affecting the wastewater treatment process. Similar odors in the neighborhood can also occur naturally as a result of the breakdown of organic materials in and around water, like in canals and wetlands near the plant, making it more difficult to identify the source of all odor complaints.

Are certain times of the year worse for sewage odors?

Odors may be more noticeable during hot, humid weather with low wind velocity or when there are temperature inversions, typically in summer months as well as during the transition between warmer and cooler weather, like the fall.

Can residents tour the wastewater treatment facility to learn more about the process?

Yes, Veolia offers guided tours of the facility. Please contact our Communications Manager at 516-401-5557 to set up a tour.

Is something different going on at the plant?

No, there have not been any recent changes to our process or operations. However, we take any reports of odors in the community seriously and have a robust internal investigation and response process to ensure that each complaint is captured, investigated, and responded to, including with personal phone calls to our neighbors.

• Each time we receive an odor complaint, plant personnel are alerted by phone call and email. The Operations Supervisor on duty tours the plant on foot to check for open doors, evidence of any process upset, or any activity that might lead to higher-than-normal levels of wastewater odors. He also checks an odor monitoring system in the plant that measures hydrogen sulfide (referred to as “H2S”), the primary wastewater odor.
  
  The Operations Supervisor makes note of the time, weather, wind direction and tidal conditions in the area, then drives to the area where the complainant lives or where the odor was reported with a portable hydrogen sulfide monitor and takes several readings in the area. 
  
  Once these activities are complete, the Operations Supervisor generates a report which is sent to the Communications Manager and other members of the management team. The management team then reviews the data and the Communications Manager calls the resident back to report our findings.

Are there any health concerns associated with these odors? Are they toxic?

The odor most frequently associated with wastewater treatment is hydrogen sulfide, which is a naturally occurring byproduct of the wastewater treatment process. It is also generated by decaying organic material. The New York Department of Health has published helpful information concerning hydrogen sulfide, which is available here.

Are the chemicals used in the Cedar Creek facility causing odors in the neighborhood?

No. Wastewater treatment is primarily a biological and physical process. We use bleach (sodium hypochlorite) at the very end of the treatment process to kill any microscopic pathogens. Additionally, polymer, a thickening agent, is added to help thicken the biosolids for dewatering and disposal.

Are these increased odors because there is more wastewater being treated at the plant?

No. The volume of wastewater currently being treated at Cedar Creek is consistent with the volume in prior months and years.

Is the Bay Park Conveyance Project causing odors in the community?

The Bay Park Conveyance Project is being administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The DEC’s website at https://www.bayparkconveyance.org has detailed information about this project, including an environmental assessment conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act that evaluates the potential for environmental and other impacts from the project.

The project is still being constructed and is not yet in service. As DEC’s website explains, when the project is completed and commissioned, it will bring treated effluent (wastewater) to Cedar Creek’s ocean outfall for discharge to the Atlantic Ocean via a pipe under Sunrise Highway. This effluent will not enter the Cedar Creek wastewater treatment plant as it will already be treated. No additional sewage will be treated at the Cedar Creek plant as a result of the Bay Park Conveyance Project.