The Silver Bay YMCA Conference and Family Retreat Center plans to modernize its wastewater capabilities in the fall.
Silver Bay recently submitted and received approval for its design plans from he state to replace its existing wastewater system with a new membrane bioreactors (MBR), Silver Bay CEO said.
According to Tamm, Silver Bay recently embarked on an ambitious re-development plan for its historic campus. This included the interior renovation of the first and second floors in 2016, relocating its parking area and adding the new two-story, 42,000-square-foot William Boyd Center.
“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 a 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 wastewater contamination”, said David Wick, executive director of the Lake George Park Commission. “Silver Bay YMCA is taking a leadership role in proactively modernizing their wastewater capabilities with proven modern technology. With their 700 acres and over one 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 state Department of Environmental Conservation is encouraged that Silver Bay YMCA has included technology in the upgrades to their wastewater 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, said MBRs “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
“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 the APA and the town of Hague, construction is planned to start in fall and be completed in time for the 2019 summer season. The cost of the MBR system is estimated at $2.5 million.
While the majority of the funds are expected to come from donors committed to the mission of Silver Bay YMCA and lake preservation, Silver Bay is still working to secure the remaining funding, said Tamm.
Silver Bay also recently conducted its annual e-waste recycling event. Tamm said the event was a success.
“Silver Bay launched this community outreach initiative several years ago. The concept was to find a way to keep harmful materials out of our local landfills while allowing recycling companies the opportunity to capture components from discarded electronic products to be re-purposed elsewhere. A key part of Silver Bay’s mission is to ensure we are having a positive effect on the local community and local environment and thus this program is spot-on,” said Tamm.
Numerous TV’s, computer monitors, computer hard drives and other electronics were accepted. It is estimated that over 1,000 pounds of electronics was dropped off during the day.
“That’s 1,000 pounds of potentially harmful items kept out of local landfills. We are thrilled to have been part of that,” said Tamm.
Silver Bay YMCA was founded in 1902 and is located in Silver Bay, just minutes south of Hague. Its 700-acre campus along one mile of Lake George shoreline offers a wide breadth of programs for all ages. Silver Bay YMCA presently employs 45 full-time staff members with a seasonal staff of 200. Silver Bay YMCA is on the he U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Register of Historic Places.