The company, i3 electronics in Endicott, will be speaking to local leaders Wednesday about a water pollution control permit they are looking to renew. It has raised some concerns with residents who fear the company is polluting the village's main source of drinking water. Camille DeLongis has the details on that controversial permit.
ENDICOTT, N.Y. -- The permit i3 electronics is looking to renew would allow the company to continue to process and dispose of wastewater into the Susquehanna River, but environmental activists say that process is hazardous to the quality of their drinking water.
Now the state Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Program is designed to eliminate the pollution of New York waters and to maintain the highest quality of water possible. But residents say the DEC has been allowing i3 Electronics to process 80,000 gallons of "toxic leachate" a day and then dump it on top of village of Endicott's primary drinking water well.
This toxic leachate is the liquid that seeps out of the garbage in landfills, which can contain industrial solvents, hydrocarbons, and radioactive materials.
The DEC sent us a statement last month saying:
"DEC evaluated the wastewater characteristics of i3 and determined that a permit modification is appropriate. The proposed draft permit includes new requirements that are protective of the water quality of the Susquehanna River watershed."
Earlier this month, the village mayor said he has confidence in the disposal process and those who monitor it.