State cites Nassau sewage treatment plant for 26 violations

Nassau County's Cedar Creek sewage treatment plant has been cited by the state Labor Department for 26 safety violations, including 22 categorized as serious.

The violations include puddles of waste water in operating areas, uncovered floor drains, missing guardrails, restricted exits, overburdened electrical outlets and a nonfunctioning emergency-stop tripwire on the hopper of a sewage compactor.

These problems, along with community complaints about odors and employee complaints about poor maintenance prompted Republican lawmakers to hold a fact-finding hearing Thursday to determine, according to Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa), whether the Seaford plant "is an accident waiting to happen."

Schmitt said lawmakers hope to identify the reason for the plant's problems - whether they stem from too few workers or too little maintenance - and then come up with a plan for the county to fix them.

Although remediation will cost money, Schmitt said Nassau "cannot afford not to fix it" if health and safety are at stake.

Added Jerry Laricchiuta, president of Nassau's Civil Service Employee Association, "If they don't fix it now, in 10 or 15 years we're going to have a catastrophe on our hands."

County Executive Edward Mangano said in a statement that he supports the legislature's efforts while the county public works department "continues to actively examine the situation."

Legis. David Denenberg (D-Merrick), who held hearings on Cedar Creek when Democrats controlled the county, said the plant meets federal pollution standards for emissions and treated water discharge, despite the maintenance problems.

The state labor department issued the 26 safety violations Feb. 9. "That is a lot of violations for one place," acknowledged department spokeswoman Karen Williamson. She added, however, that the types of problems cited are not atypical for a sewage treatment plant.

Nassau has been given various deadlines in March to fix the violations. She said inspectors will return to make sure the county has taken action.

Although the state can assess penalties ranging up to $200 a day per violation, Williamson said, "Practically speaking, we are working with them throughout the process."