The facility experienced an Insurable vehicle accident Impacting the High Yard Control Building on February 29, 2024, requiring all Cogen Units from service by order of National Grid on March 3, 2024. National Grid Locked Out all three Cogen Units and on October 23, 2024, National Grid removed locks and released units to full service.

O & M revenues totaled $6.39 million during 2024. The Industrial contribution was 48.48%, Residential 29.03% and Trucked/Pumped waste and miscellaneous revenue totaled 22.79%. The industrial sewer rate effectively remained constant while residential rates were increased by 10.8 percent. Use of $317,015 from the Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund helped to minimize the rate increase.

Belt Filter Presses operated 3,325 hours producing 17,749 wet tons of sludge. Fulton County Department of Solid Waste received $603,466 to accept the sludge.

The Dairy Industry accounted for 49.17% of the total O&M revenue collected. Combined, FAGE USA Dairy Industry, Inc. and Euphrates Inc. pumped a total of 29.4 million gallons of whey to the Anaerobic Digester and 214.5 million gallons of washwater to the Contact Adsorption Settling Thickening (CAST) system for processing via two dedicated pipelines.

The foundation of GJJWTF success is the support of the Gloversville-Johnstown Joint Sewer Board (GJJSB) and the work of its twenty-seven (27) employees. The conscientious efforts by all GJJWTF employees on days, nights, weekends, holidays, during severe weather, and often in an inhospitable environment, the facility continues to operate and meet its wastewater discharge SPDES permit requirements.

The employee names (as of 12/31/24) are as follows:

PERSONNEL

2024 Joint Sewer Board  Members

• Chair - Christopher Vose  
• Vice Chair - Donald Schwartz
• Secretary -  Eric Parker
• Board members - Michael Stover, John Rizzo and Bobbi Trudel  

Licensed Operators
One (1) NYSDEC Grade 4A licensed Chief Operator
Three (3) NYSDEC Grade 3A licensed Wastewater Treatment Operators

New Hires

• Harry Brand, Manager-Wastewater Programs
• Robert Yaggle, Chief WWTP Operator
• Michael VanAlstyne, WWTP Operator
• Adrienne Slade, Account Clerknt

Left Employment

• None

Retirements

• None

Sick Days
Four (6) employees utilized three (2) sick days or less during 2024. The names of those employees are as follows:

• Harry Brand*
• Adrienne Slade*
• Lacie Folts
• Robert Yaggle*
• Bruce Gardner
• Haleigh Grubb

*Only Employed Partial Year

Work Related Injuries
One (1) work related injury reported in 2024, which resulted in Lost Time from work.

• Employee fell while exiting the Skid Steer, impacting leg on bucket, resulting in a deep tissue bruise of upper thigh, restricting duty.

NYSDEC Compliance

• Effective June 17,2024 the GJJWTF entered into a Consulting Agreement with a Certified 4A Wastewater Operator who had previously been employed at the facility. He was onsite a minimum of 30-days per calendar quarter, in accordance with NYSDEC Technical and Operational Guidance Series (TOGS) Section III.B. Special Guidance on Selected Segments of Part 650, Plant Coverage III.B.2.a. This addressed the NYSDEC's unsatisfactory items identified during the 2023 Annual Permit Inspection and was required to be completed prior to July 3, 2024.
• June 29, 2024, the facility experienced a permit limit exceedance with an Effluent Settleable Solids sample result was 0.4 mUL, while permit limit is 0.1 milL. A Report of Noncompliance was submitted to NYSDEC via email 7/1/24, no further actions required.
• August 17, 2024, the facility experienced a permit limit exceedance with an Effluent Settleable Solids sample result of 0.5 milL, while permit limit is 0.1 milL. A Report of Noncompliance was submitted to NYSDEC via email 8117/24, no further actions required.
• Auguust 20, 2024 the facility received the WET analysis report for the test period 8/6/24 - 8/12124, the lab report indicates our TUc(IC25repro) = 1.71 for Freshwater Invertebrate, Ceriodaphnia Dubia; the permit Action Level is 1.3 for the period June - August. Email notification was made to NYSDEC which included the report. NYSDEC has indicated no further action at this time, but following a complete review of the report, the facility may be required to conduct additional WET testing
• November 14, 2024 - NYSDEC conducted the annual on site comprehensive SPDES plant inspection. The facility was assigned an overall rating of Satisfactory.
• December 9, 2024, received notification from NYSDEC indicating that an additional year of quarterly Chronic testing using only the more sensitive invertebrate species is required at Outfall 001 due to the August 2024 test failure. The required testing must be initiated within 60 days following this notification

Odor Complaints
Two (2) odor complaints reported in 2024.

• June 11,2024 @ 11 :45 pm, lasting for 1-hour, complaint made directly to NYSDEC
• August 22,2024 @ 10:31 pm, complaint made to the facility by a South Melcher St city resident, indicated odor started approximately 8:30 pm and worsened resulting in the complaint at 10:30 pm.

• None

On 8/19/24 the facility received a FOIL request on behalf of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers Leachate Collaborative, requesting all data associated with the facility's policy and procedures governing its acceptance of leachate from landfills. On 8/22124, GJJWTF staff responded to the FOIL request confirming the receipt of the request and that we would provide the available information within 20-days. All requested data was transmitted, and receipt confirmed via email on 9/3/24, no further request has been received.

1. Continue to work through the historical problem of the process control fiber communication network (SCADA) lack of reliability and limited records. A couple vendors have been onsite to address system failures and restore the network but did not address the root problem of overall network reliability and documentation. General Control Systems has been selected to conduct a complete network review, document current SCADA Network arrangement, and provide a proposal to increase overall network.

2. January 2024, Cogen #1 experienced a major head failure resulting in cylinder #1 piston damage. Cogen #1 was due for a Top End Overhaul in 2024, so a decision was made to complete the Top End Overhaul in conjunction with the head repair.

3. On Feb 29th 2024, a unmanned running truck with roll off dumpster rolled down the hill from the Sludge Building and impacted the High Yard Control Building, destroying the building and its contents.
   The control building contains all the Protective Relaying and Communication equipment required to support the National Grid Interconnection, allowing the facility to operate its Cogen Units and export power. On March 31d the Cogen Units were taken out of service and High Yard was modified to allow the facility to be energized from the National Grid System, without the Control Building. Part of this temporary arrangement, National Grid required the facility's Cogen Units to be Locked Out until a new Control Building was erected, and all protective relaying and communication equipment had been upgraded to current standards. On October 23, 2024 Construction and installation of required equipment was completed to the point that satisfied National Grid's requirement to allow the Cogen Units to be retumed to service. Due to equipment lead times, the final metering equipment and Remote Telemetry Unit (RTU) will not be received or installed until sometime in 2025. An agreement was reached with National Grid to allow the operation of the COGEN Units prior to this being completed.

   This event was an insurable event as both property damage and business interruption.
   On August 28, 2024, a Property Damage settlement was reached with NYMIR in the amount of $1,488,621.39
   Business Interruption claim has not been settled, and the total insurable amount is being determined, as of December 31 , 2024, the facility has received $100,000 for extra expense associated with the loss.

4. On April 9, 2024 the facility experienced a significant slope failure of the facility's northside along the Cayadutta Creek, impacting approximately 350 feet of the slope. This failure also posed a potential risk to the facility's high voltage duct bank's integrity, which runs adjacent to the slope. Greenman·Pedersen, Inc. (GPI) was contracted to develop an engineering solution, and navigate all regulatory and permitting processes required to stabilize the slope failure. A proposed solution was developed, reviewed by the Army Corp of Engineers, and a Nationwide Permit was issued on August 22, 2024. An open bid was awarded to Carver Companies on October 91h, in the amount of $1,032,145. GPI was also retained as Project manager increasing their total cost to $225,000. A BAN was issued to the City of Gloversville in the amount $1 ,256,945, to cover the cost associated with the slope stabilization project. The project was significantly completed on 12/20/24. Carver will return in the spring once conditions facilitate final clean up and road repairs.

   This Project was awarded the APWA Capital Branch project of the year for the Gloversville·Johnstown Joint Wastewater Treatment Facility Slope Failure project, in the emergency construction category, less than $5 million division.

5. On April 13th the primary Aeration Blower (Turblex) had a Class 1 Service (Major Overhaul) completed by the blower OEM (Howden), at 71,999.9 hours.

6. On April 26th Milton Cat, High Voltage Electrical Services and Amaha Electric completed the upgrade project consisting of the Installation of the auto transfer switch of the UV Disinfection System to the Emergency Diesel Generator (EDG) upon a loss of normal power. This addresses the NYSDEC's unsatisfactory items identified during the 2023 Annual Permit Inspection and was required to be completed prior to May 1, 2024. The UV System is required to be continuously in service from May 1st through October 31st, in accordance with the facility's SPDES Permit.

7. A review of PBS Registration determined that one of the facility's Registered Tanks was incorrectly removed from the PBS Registration following the 2021 NYSDEC PBS Inspection. The Inspector was shown the incorrect tank (portable Godwin Pump tank), and not registered Tank # 006. On 5/24/24 notified NYSDEC and revised the PBS Registration to include Tank #006. Tank #006 required modification to bring it in compliance with regulations, which required a secondary containment to be fabricated and installed by facility staff, along with acceptable overfill protection. NYSDEC indicated they will provide 30-days to complete required modification and update PBS Registration, all was completed.

8. On 5/27/24, at 11:18 P.M. the fire alarm system called a false alarm to the Johnstown Fire Department. Another alarm called out at 4 A.M. the next morning. Zone 4 in Recirculation Building was temporarily disabled. Fire Security & Sound Systems of Latham installed two new heat detectors and replaced a bad resistor.

9. On 6/20/24, a new replacement digester gas mixer compressor (NASH) was ordered from NES. Currently the two mixers in service are both experiencing excess seal leakage, while redundant mixers, neither are 100% reliable. The cost and lead time for a refurbishment justified the purchasing of a new unit. Upon receipt of the new mixer, it will be installed and facilitate the refurbishment of the one removed. The new compressor is anticipated to be received in February 2025.

10. On 6/29/24 Precision Industrial Maintenance jet cleaned and vacuumed the Wash Water wastewater pipe from Manhole #4 to the Cast Headworks. This line is a dedicated line supporting FAGE and Euphrates dairy process. To support this cleaning process Wash Water discharges would have to be minimized. An agreement was reached with FAGE to complete this work on a weekend, with FAGE agreeing to pay all the Incremental cost associated with performing the work outside normal working hours. This cleaning was past due, and posed the risk of surging the wash water line manhole which would result in a reportable release. This will be completed annually moving forward.

11. On 9/5/24 HVES returned and installed All 4 EATON High Yard breakers following rebuild required due to rodent damage, which made them non-serviceable. Research found that this same switch gear experienced rodent damage back in October 2019. Efforts were made to identify various points of entry for the rodents and installed sealant to mitigate any future rodent damage.

12. On 9/5/24 HVES & OMAHA Electric made the connection between MCC B in Aeration Building and the EDG Disconnect which facilitates back feeding the north side of the facility in event of a power outage. The decision was made back in March not to take power out of facility to make connection. This work was completed during the National Grid required Line Outage.

13. On 9/17/24 facility staff commenced the cleaning and inspection of the Aeration Tanks. The normal periodicity of Aeration Tank cleaning and Inspection is 3-years, however the last time any cleaning was completed was in 2014. Upon draining the first tank, found an excess amount of shells and grit in the tank, significantly increasing the time required to complete cleaning. It was also found that the air diffusers were not providing design flow, which reduces the efficiency of the tank performance. Investigation found the diffuser internal orifices were blocked; all orifices were cleared. Only Tanks #1 & #2 were completed in 2024, Tanks #3 & #4 will be completed in 2025.

14. During the week of November 4th, following the Cogen Units being retumed to service, the decision was made to have Milton Cat, HVES and Prime Automation, to bring a Load Bank on site to allow for additional tuning of the Cogen Units control and load sharing, without being connected to the physical system. Historically the ability for the units to operate in island mode and load sharing was not reliable or suffiCiently stable. Additionally, the Black Start function was never commissioned. This was completed, significantly improving the system operations and reliability.

15. On 12/28/24 facility staff and Precision Industrial Maintenance commenced the inspection and cleaning of Whey Tank #1 . After 6-days of removing the solids (cheese Particulate), emptying approximately 80% of the solids, it was decided to stop and place the tank online, due to the inability to continue to manage Whey flow. The Tank will be reopened, and the cleaning will be completed in October. Approximately forty-four truckloads of 2,750 gallons each (121,000 gallons) were removed from the tank and processed through the Screening Building. Facility staff worked through several screening issues with the grit classifiers, grease compactor, and plugged pumps. Approximately 108 tons of debris were removed and transported to the Fulton County Landfill. FAGE agreed to pay for the Incremental cost associated with working on the weekends, to minimize the impact on their process. The tank had not been opened for inspection or cleaning in almost 4-years, at a minimum this maintenance must be performed every two years.

Continue to work with L&S Energy Services, Inc. and NYSERDA to finalize Measurement & Verification (M&V) data for performance year 7 (July 2022 - July 2023) & 8 (July 2023 - July 2024) of Cogen Engine No.3, per NYSERDA grant disbursement requirements. L&S Energy Services, Inc. has recommended that M&V Year 7 PIP be based on 1,287,714 kWh, awaiting NYSERDA review and approval.

NBT Bank Purchased a 1-year BAN in the amount of $1,256,945 at 4.25%, being offered by the City of Gloversville on behalf of GJJWTF to fund the Slope Stabilization Project.

Completed annual reviews of the following lab manuals:

Laboratory Quality Manual
Laboratory Test Method SOP Manual
Monitoring Field Activities SOP Manual
Administrative and Quality Procedures SOP

POTW sludge that was hauled to GJJWTF during 2024 was analyzed for T. Metals, and T. Phosphorus as well as the full TCLP scan.

Chain Gauge was replaced and re-zeroed on the Union Ave Bridge used for SPDES required stream flow measurement.

New QC limits for all parameters analyzed at GJJWTF were calculated in house by lab director.

PFOAS sampled on the BFP prior to the addition of sand and on the Final effluent.

Lab Continues to monitor industries for all priority pollutants once every three years.

Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) on facility effluent was sampled during all 4 quarters in 2024. Third quarter results exhibited unacceptable chronic toxicity after mixing with the Cayadutta receiving water. GJJWTF is now required to monitor for WET for only the more sensitive invertebrate species for four quarters in 2025.

Lab Director calculated the annual Minimum Detection Limits (MOL) for NH3 and dissolved sulfide.

Lab staff calibrate and maintain GJJWTF's 4 confined space meters. Lab director would defective sensors.

Completed the 2024 annual NYS DOH ELAP internal laboratory audit.

The Proficiency test (PT) sample result for COD submitted to NYS DOH ELAP during July 2024 was found to be unacceptable. COD data is not submitted to NYS DEC and Is used for process control only. GJJWTF still holds certification for COD. Currently, no corrective action is required due to a history of successful analysis. However, GJJWTF has enrolled its colorimeter with 8 HACH in an exchange program for the entire year. If there is a concern with the meter, HACH's tech support will assist, and if needed, will send out a loaner meter for GJJWTF to use while the meter in question is mailed back to HACH for repair. All other PT sampling results submitted during 2024 which would include BOD, CBOD, TSS, TKN, NH3, Dissolved Sulfide, Settleable Solids, and Fecal Coliform were found to be acceptable.

Submitted annual DMR QA 44 to EPA. PT scores from GJJWTF including the subcontracted lab PT scores make up an annual DMR QA. The only sampling results required to be submitted to the DMR QA study are for the parameters listed in GJJWTF's SPDES permit.

The industrial pretreatment program's NYS SPDES required semiannual reports have been submitted to EPA and DEC.

Annual ethics and data integrity training of all lab and monitoring personnel took place during December 2024.

Submitted Mercury Minimization Plan to DEC in March of 2024. This plan contains quarterly SPDES required low-level mercury analysis on plant effluent and any other activities that GJJWTF takes part in to minimize Hg from entering the treatment facility's waste stream.

All industrial and facility flow meters checked for accuracy throughout the year.

All monitoring equipment located within GJJWTF and the cities of Gloversville and Johnstown have been maintained and calibrated during 2024. Specifically, the calibration of flow meters, replacing sampling pumps, maintaining probes and meters associated with pH, D.O., % transmittance, ORP, vacuum pumps and conductivity. HACH SC200 control interfaces are maintained that control D.O. in the aeration basin, pump sodium hypo chloride and sodium hydroxide in the odor scrubber, and control the % transmittance for UV disinfection.

The following annual contracts have been maintained throughout 2024: reagent water services, analytical balance calibrations, temperature verification, and outside lab services.

Issued permits to 10 Industries in Johnstown and 9 industries in Gloversville for 2024.

Semi-annual notarized responses from industries categorized as metal finishers have been received. Epimed International, Inc. and Lippert components explain that to the best of their knowledge no TTO has been discharged.

Two Notice of Violations for pH were issued to industries during 2024.

Historically. the total flow of Influent wastewater to the Plant is relatively constant.