Woodridge Village Clerk's Office

To the Mayor, Trustees, and Department of Public Works
Village of Woodridge, Sullivan County, New York

The Village of Woodridge sits within a hydrologically sensitive portion of Sullivan County, where wastewater and stormwater influence Silver Lake, flow into a local stream system, and ultimately enter the Upper Delaware River watershed. As state and federal nutrient limits tighten, facilities operating near capacity face elevated risk: short-duration exceedances can accelerate eutrophication and algal growth in Silver Lake and downstream reaches, where dilution is limited. Reactive operation under these conditions also drives higher energy use, chemical dosing, and emergency maintenance, increasing both environmental impact and operating cost.

As the Village evaluates upgrades, there is a practical opportunity to integrate proven nutrient-management technology directly into a compliance-driven rebuild. Modern phosphorus and nitrogen control systems—widely deployed across North America and Europe—reduce effluent nutrient loads, stabilize operations, and specifically prevent struvite formation, the concrete-like scaling that causes pipe blockages and unplanned maintenance. When incorporated at the design stage, these systems function as conservative reliability measures rather than experimental add-ons.

There is also a measurable economic benefit. While these technologies require upfront capital, utilities commonly see reduced lifecycle costs through lower chemical demand (e.g., alum or ferric), decreased sludge handling and hauling, fewer maintenance outages, and improved permit compliance. In addition, a portion of recovered nutrients can be converted into stable, fertilizer-grade material. While not a primary revenue source, this recovery—combined with avoided costs—can materially improve operating margins and strengthen grant or bond justifications. These systems are typically automated and designed to integrate with existing SCADA platforms, minimizing additional operational burden on DPW staff.

One established North American supplier—among others in this space—is Ostara, whose modular nutrient-recovery reactors are permitted and operating at municipal plants in the U.S. and Canada. Another widely used option is AirPrex (now part of the Veolia/CNP portfolio), a phosphorus control and struvite-prevention system deployed in numerous wastewater facilities. Both technologies are commonly introduced as part of required capacity or compliance upgrades and can be scaled to local flows in communities comparable to Woodridge.

As Sullivan County communities plan for population pressure and infrastructure renewal, I encourage the Village to evaluate nutrient recovery as a core component of the Woodridge plant’s upgrade—not as an afterthought. A focused feasibility review could determine whether these approaches would reduce permit risk, stabilize operations, and protect Silver Lake and downstream Delaware watershed resources.

Sincerely,
Josef Bartol

Easy to work with.