The village of Lake George is days away from turning on its new wastewater treatment plant – a major overhaul years in the making.

I visited the new facility (located in the same place as the old plant) last week and got a tour from plant operator Tim Shudt, who is nearing 10 years in the position. Construction is basically complete, but they are still working out some final details before the new plant can be switched on.

After more than two years of construction – and a $24 million investment – the new plant includes scores of new pumps, motors and electrical panels. New buildings have gone up and massive concrete tanks will soon play home to millions of gallons of wastewater. The project has the feel of an almost-done renovation project. One of the big ones.

The new plant promises to be a much-need boon to water quality in the Lake George basin.

For years the current plant, which was originally designed and built in the 1930s, has failed to properly remove nitrates from the region’s wastewater. Those nitrates have found their way into nearby brooks that feed Lake George. The state since 2014 has maintained a consent order against the village requiring it to upgrade the plant.

But a new process and state-of-the-art technology should raise the treatment plant to modern standards. Read about my visit here.

ALSO:

• Here’s a roundup of new trails opened throughout the park in 2021. (You’re welcome.)

• Take a look at the top 10 stories of the year.

• A contentious proposed RV park in Mayfield scored $200,000 in state funding.

Above: Tim Shudt, plant operator for the Village of Lake George wastewater treatment plant, stands on a new platform overlooking a critical step in the new wastewater treatment process. Photo by Zachary Matson

Editor’s note: This first appeared in Zach’s weekly “Water Line” newsletter. Click here to sign up.