OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg has submitted a New York State consolidated funding application seeking $1.7 million for improvements related to the wastewater treatment plant, according to a recent update from city council.

The city is seeking $1.2 million from Empire State Development and $500,000 from the Department of State Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.

"Funds from ESD would be used to construct a septage receiving facility at the WWTP location,” the update says. “This facility will enable the City to process and dispose of septage from outside sources such as private waste haulers, wastewater from other local treatment plants and whey waste from Losurdo."

Funding from Department of State Local Waterfront Revitalization Program is targeted at improvements to the city’s collection system, including the 800,000-gallon equalization tank. The tank tank will capture and store combined storm and sewer overflow during peak flow conditions, thereby improving water quality in the St. Lawrence River.

The city is working to complete a $35 million overhaul of the facility. The city has secured more than $5 million in grants and a $20 million no-interest loan. City Manager Sarah Purdy remains hopeful the city can help cut the local share with additional grant funding.

Equipment in the facility is 40 to 50 years old and had become costly to maintain and dangerous for staff and the city in general, according to consultants.