Silver Bay YMCA setting new waste water standard on Lake George

Silver Bay, NY: The Silver Bay YMCA Conference and Family Retreat Center plans to modernize its waste water capabilities in fall 2018. Silver Bay recently submitted and received approval for its design plans from NYSDEC to replace its’ existing waste water system with a new Membrane Bioreactors (MBR), chief executive officer Steve Tamm has announced.

According to Tamm, Silver Bay recently embarked on an ambitious re-development plan for its historic campus. This included the interior renovation of the 1st and 2nd floors of the historic Inn in 2016, its newly relocated parking area, which was the first on Lake George to be awarded LID (Low Impact Development) certification in 2016, and the new two-story, 42,000 sq. ft., William Boyd Center, which is slated to open for summer 2018.

“As we continue to invest in upgrading our lodging and amenities, it is equally important that we ensure we are being good stewards of Lake George. A key part of Silver Bay’s mission is to ensure we are having a positive effect on the local community, local economy and local environment”, said Tamm. “We are pleased to hear that a significant upgrade to the wastewater treatment system at Silver Bay YMCA of the Adirondacks has been given the green light to move forward”, said Walt Lender, Executive Director, Lake George Association and Silver Bay YMCA trustee.

“This demonstration project leads the way in the Lake George watershed for innovative treatment of collected wastewater”, said Lender. “Many residential and commercial systems in the region can look to this project as a way to ensure that they are using the newest technology available to protect Lake George and other water supplies. We must keep in mind that Lake George is drinking water and we all need to work together to protect it.”

“A major concern all of us have for the Lake George basin is waste water contamination”, said David Wick, Executive Director of The Lake George Park Commission. “Silver Bay YMCA is taking a leadership role in proactively modernizing their waste water capabilities with proven modern technology,” continued Wick.

“With their 700 acres and over 1 mile of Lake George shoreline, this is a major step forward in positive environmental stewardship.”

“Protecting water quality is a top priority for the state, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is encouraged that Silver Bay YMCA has included technology in the upgrades to their waste water treatment system that exceeds requirements for water quality protection,” said DEC Regional Director Bob Stegemann. “This is a significant commitment to protecting the waters of Lake George.”

Cedarwood Engineering Services, a Warrensburg-based environmental engineering company, is the designer of the MBR system.

Tom Suozzo, P.E. and owner of Cedarwood noted, “Membrane Bioreactors (MBR) are a proven treatment technology that produce a very clear filtered high-quality effluent. This effluent exceeds the required groundwater discharge standards and also meets and exceeds NYSDEC intermittent stream standards, which are the most stringent standards set by the State”, noted Suozzo. “By producing such a high-quality effluent, MBR treatment is an excellent choice for wastewater treatment in the Lake George Drainage Basin where effluent subsurface infiltration is required as a means to protect the water quality of Lake George.”

While additional regulatory approvals are required such as A.P.A. and the Town of Hague, construction is planned to start in fall 2018 and be completed in time for the 2019 summer season. The cost of the MBR system is estimated at $2.5MM. While the majority of the funds are expected to come from donors committed the mission of Silver Bay YMCA and lake preservation, Silver Bay is still working to secure the remaining funding, said Tamm.

Silver Bay YMCA Media Contact:
Steve Tamm
CEO
SILVER BAY YMCA
87 Silver Bay Road, Silver Bay NY 12874
(P) 518 543 8525
(E) [email protected]