Rain Swamps Niagara County Sewers

Niagara County's Sewer District has implemented a six-month moratorium on new developments projected to exceed 2,500 gallons of sewage output daily. This critical measure was enacted on Wednesday to address the severe overloading of the county's sewer treatment plant, a consequence of an extraordinary rainstorm earlier this month. The storm caused an unprecedented influx of approximately 60 million gallons of water into the sewer system, far exceeding the normal daily flow of 6 to 7 million gallons. This overwhelming volume was primarily attributed to stormwater and rainwater bypassing proper drainage systems and entering the sanitary sewer lines.

The moratorium affects towns including Lockport, Niagara, Lewiston, Wheatfield, Cambria, and Pendleton, all serviced by the treatment plant on Williams Road in Niagara Falls. This measure prevents any new loading from municipalities planning large housing tracts or developments requiring sewer hookups. However, building projects that have already obtained downstream capacity analysis (DSCA) approval from the sewer district are exempt and will continue unaffected. Projects with flows below the 2,500-gallon threshold also do not require DSCA approval.

Officials cited widespread flooding and slow receding of floodwaters throughout the district's service area as reasons for the moratorium. Engineers noted that when sanitary sewer systems become submerged by creek and ditch water, the capacity for normal sanitary flows is compromised. There were also reports of illegal tampering with infrastructure, such as lifting manholes and drilling holes in clean-outs, to alleviate floodwaters. Efforts are underway to address stormwater intrusion, including resident outreach and a capacity study by GHD Engineering firm. Some believe these measures could resolve the issue without a moratorium.