Electrical power surge causes a sewage pump station to fail
Goshen. Approximately 500 gallons of untreated raw sewage out onto the ground the Hambletonian Pump Station.
Goshen /
| 30 Jun 2020 | 01:27
On the right is the last safety device: a diesel powered pump to bypass the relay pump if there is an electrical problem; then sewage won’t overflow. Also, on the premises is a natural gas powered emergency generator, located just outside a power building (not pictured) located at the site. Photos by Geri Corey.
The ball field in this pocket park is closed due to overflowing sewage from the Hambletonian Pump Station on Craigville Road in Goshen.
On Sunday, June 14, a power surge damaged all electronic controls at the Hambletonian Pump Station on Craigville Road in Goshen, causing the release of approximately 500 gallons of untreated raw sewage out onto the ground.
The surge disabled the control system that not only tells the pump when to turn on and off, but also alerts officials when the pump isn’t working. However, during a routine check, an employee of Goshen’s public works crew spotted the overflowing sewage.
After bypassing the damaged control and manually resuming the flow to the Village of Goshen sewer treatment plant, the worker alerted officials, Broderick Knoell and Joseph Klopchin, who called TAM Enterprises, Hartley Road in Goshen, for cleanup.
According to Joseph Klopchin, certified operator of water and sewer in the Town of Goshen, TAM quickly arrived at the job site and, using a Vac-con truck, vacuumed up the spillage, both dry and liquid.
“TAM has very talented guys,” said Klopchin. “We’re fortunate to have them. They respond quickly.”
Emergency measures, like installation of a back up float driven diesel pump and additional safety equipment, were put in place to prevent this from happening again, Klopchin said.
Town Supervisor Doug Bloomfield said the diesel float pump will turn on automatically even without electrical power.
The supervisor and board members are in contact with Orange and Rockland Utilities Inc. to resolve the ultimate fix: the surge issue.
“Resolving the surge problem is the long-term solution,” said Klopchin, explaining that the town has supplied sophisticated equipment, like brand-new state-of the-art controllers for the pump station, but optimal working depends on stable power.
DEC agent Ryan O’Meara met with Goshen Town officials - Supervisor Bloomfield, Highway Superintendent Broderick Knoell, Councilman Phil Canterino and Water and Sewer Operator Klopchin - to discuss the event.
The spillage had flowed onto a portion of a ball field but hadn’t gotten into any body of water.
Town officials posted a closed sign at the entrance to the field.
The four-acre parcel, including the ball field, is owned by Town of Goshen.
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