Research Seminar Series: Efficacy of a Woodchip Bioreactor for Denitrification of Tertiary Effluent From the Bolton Wastewater Treatment Plant

Speakers: Kathleen Suozzo, P.E; Chris Navitsky, P.E.;Jim Sutherland, Ph.D.

This seminar was recorded and can be viewed online on this webpage.

Register for the online Zoom event: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nRGe4_zeRLC8I-t6d1ZOUA

To request a disability-related accommodation to participate in any of these programs, please contact Lake Champlain Sea Grant / Julianna White at 802-777-7017 or seagrant [at] uvm.edu no later than three weeks before your chosen date so we can assist you.

Lake George is the largest body of water totally within the Adirondack Park and is located within the Lake Champlain drainage basin.  The Town of Bolton wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), circa 1960, is situated on a series of glacial outwash plateaus and lacks a unit process for effluent denitrification.  During 2018, a woodchip bioreactor was installed to provide tertiary denitrification of the wastewater effluent discharged from the plant.  To our knowledge, this is the first application of this type of treatment for a small community package plant anywhere world-wide.  The presentation will provide data from the 31-month investigation and lessons learned from the application of this treatment technology.

Kathleen Suozzo, P.E., has over 40 years of engineering experience in environmental and civil disciplines with an emphasis on water and wastewater systems.  During her career as owner and principal engineer for two regional engineering firms and one contract operations firm, Kathleen has had extensive experience working with municipal and industrial clients, as well as with regional agencies to meet their unique environmental goals, including assisting the NYCDEP in the development of phosphorus and pathogen reduction technologies.  Kathy is a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and lives in the Adirondack Park.

Chris Navitsky, P.E., is the Lake George Waterkeeper, which is in its 20th year and was launched by The FUND for Lake George.  Chris’ program applies research science and engineering principles for water quality protection through initiatives such as Low Impact Development, sustainable winter management, algae biomonitoring and septic system management.  Chris has been recognized as Conservationist of the Year by the Adirondack Council and received the Linn H. Enslow Memorial Award from the New York Water Environment Association.  Chris is a licensed professional engineer and is a graduate of The State University of New York Collage of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse.  

Jim Sutherland, PhD (M.S., Limnology, 1969, University of Buffalo; Ph.D., Aquatic Ecology and Physiology, 1978, State University of New York at Albany) was employed for 28 years as a water quality Research Scientist in the Northern Watersheds Section, Division of Water, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and retired to Nantucket Island, MA in 2005. Specific areas of research and investigation included non-point source runoff and its impacts on Lake George, NY, and the long-term effects of acid rain on the biotic communities of Adirondack region lakes and ponds.  Co-founded the New York State Federations of Lake Associations (NYS FOLA) in 1983 and the Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) in 1985. Currently resides in Greenwich, New York, an independent consultant for The Lake George Association, and working on two research investigations for the Lake Champlain Sea Grant Program:  the current investigation and An Environmental Monitoring Program to Evaluate the New York State Department of Transportation Road Salt Reduction Program in the Lake George Drainage Basin. 

Participants should expect approximately 30 minutes of presentation, which will be recorded, followed by a facilitated, 30-minute Q&A period.

This seminar is part of the Lake Champlain Sea Grant Seminar Series, and this woodchip bioreactor research project is funded by Lake Champlain Sea Grant.