A planned $100 million overhaul of Ithaca’s aging wastewater plant may now cost $200 million, after state regulators called for tighter pollution limits, The Ithaca Voice reports.
New ammonia rules from the DEC triggered the price hike — and the need for more tech to treat harmful nitrites. Local officials argue there’s no proof the plant’s discharge is harming Cayuga Lake and want real-world studies, not just models, before spending more.
If approved, the upgrade could more than double sewer bills. Leaders are pushing for a scaled-back plan while demanding clearer data from the state.
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