By Alexis Archilla
PLATTSBURGH N.Y. When it comes to our natural source of water, it is vital to make
sure that we are drinking and using the best of the best. But when things go wrong it’s
up to the Water Pollution Control Plant to make sure that the city of Plattsburgh receives
quality water.
Kristofer R. Gushlaw, the assistant chief plant operator sees all the actions that
are made to cleansing the water so that it is accessible for public usage.
“I created a booklet that is a step by step process on how things work” said
Gushlaw.
Not only does he help with assisting the chief operator David Powell but he
maintains stability by making sure that the machinery is working properly and makes
sure that the water is ready for testing.
The Water Pollution Control Plant began running on November 3, 1973. It took
around 3 years to build the plant and averages around 4 million gallons a day. It costed
11,960,000 dollars with close to 7 million given from the Federal and State grant.
There are 7 steps that are broken down, to ensure that the water is safe for the
public. First there is the screening phase, next is grit removal, followed by the low lift
pumping then the primary clarification phase, aeration, disinfection, the sludge
dewatering which is then taken to the laboratory.
This past August the Plattsburgh City Beach had failed a public safety test in
which it took only a couple days till Plattsburgh officials discussed the issue to let people
swim, even though there were people at the beach the day after the testing, a couple
people were ill due to the bacteria and enterococci.
Liz Strzepa, a reporter for WPTZ, mentions that the enterococci and bacteria is
formed from soil runoff and fecal matter. Another reason why it could've been triggered
was due to the warm water and the lack of rain. Robert Asomaning who was there at
the beach at that time remember the unpleasant experience of being there.
“ We didn’t get to go in, which sucked but I saw a couple guys soaking there feet after
the workers told them not too”.
Both Mr. Asomaning and his friend Clay Sherman were not happy when they
couldn’t step foot in the water.
As the water was cleared, Mr. Sherman went back for a nice swim and to soak in
the summer sun. A couple days after he started to notice a gruesome rash growing,
“ I was freaking out, I didn’t know what to do”. Sherman later did what anyone
would do, when the rash didn’t go away. “ I rushed to the hospital because I had gash in
my arm and it kept bothering me, they told me it must of been from the water”.
Later Sherman received antibiotics and his arm was treated, the wound healed
four days later but the doctors told him that it was best for him to stay away from the
water till further notice. It’s safe to say there hasn’t been any other incidents concerning
the closure of the beach due to enterococci. The tests of the beach have helped keep
the public safe and harmless since.
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