Progress has been made

. . . to improve water quality in Onondaga Lake

Progress has been made

New treatment facilities have been built at the Metropolitan Syracuse Wastewater Treatment Plant, just south of Onondaga Lake.

The ammonia removal facilities began operating in January 2004. These facilities are meeting—actually exceeding—effluent limits.
The phosphorus removal facilities have begun operating. Phosphorus is a nutrient that contributes to the growth of algae in the lake and that, in turn, lowers the lake's oxygen levels.
And, the effluent from Metro is disinfected with new ultraviolet facilities before it reaches Onondaga Lake.

These new facilities are bringing a new era of improved water quality to Onondaga Lake. See how the facilities got built:
Thanks to Joe Lorah of C&S Engineers for construction photos and captions.

Completion of construction (2004):

October, Ammonia-phosphorus nearly complete
September, Interior finishing, landscaping
August, Beginning of exterior work
July, Performance test successful
May, Beneficial occupancy of UV
April, Ammonia reduction on target
March, UV system operating
February, Ammonia levels reduced
January, Ammonia treatment begins

Photo albums from 2003:

December, BAF media installed
November, BAF construction nearly finished
October, 99% of concrete in place
September, Start-up of ammonia treatment
August, Roofing the BAF—2 CSOs stopped
July, BAF concrete nearly complete
June, Metro projects 80% complete
May, Major advances with utilities
April, Construction progress on two fronts
March, Advances in facilities construction
February, Midland RTF facility plan revised

Construction photos of projects in 2002:

84-inch connection for UV disinfection
Tankage for ammonia treatment
New steam line
Natural gas line
UV facilities
84-inch tie-in to diversion structure
Secondary Effluent Pump Station