The Harriman STP currently processes 6 million gallons a day of treated wastewater into the Ramapo River and has a significant impact on the river's water quality. In 2018 the DEC requested new treatment requirements because of elevated levels of chlorides and total dissolved solids in the Ramapo.
Orange County has been fighting the DEC on that request as prohibitively expensive for no new capacity, and has been exploring solutions to additional capacity due to growth. The plant serves Kiryas Joel, Monroe, Harriman, South Blooming Grove, and Chester, as well as parts of Woodbury and the towns of Monroe and Chester.
In 2020 a consulting panel endorsed expansion of the plant in answer to expected growth. The recommended approach would cost $54 million and would raise capacity by 50% — from 6 to 9 million gallons per day — into the Ramapo River. The scoping document was finalized in February 2021.
OE is keeping an eye on the proposed expansion and, as an advocate for clean water in our region, will scrutinize the EIS for the project when it becomes available.