By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG -- Work to address runoff drainage near the Ogdensburg Burger King could begin as early as next week, according to Department of Public Works Director Scott Thornhill.

Thornhill said the work will be performed by the by J.E. Sheenhan Contracting, Potsdam, on behalf of the New York State Department of Transportation, and will be included in the Paterson Street project.

Thornhill said the excess runoff had been going into the city’s combined storm-sewer system, meaning the drainage from the road, which was supposed to go into the Oswegatchie River, has instead been going to the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

The drainage has been coming from Rt. 37 from as far down as South Water Street.

Thornhill said this means the excess water was being mixed with city sewer water and thus being treated unnecessarily by the wastewater plant.

It was also increasing flows during abnormally heavy rain with the potential to cause overflow of the system into the St. Lawrence River. That’s an issue the city has been working with the Department of Conservation to alleviate.

The drainage issue had apparently been going on for years unknown to engineers, who assumed the water was draining into the Oswegatchie River. However, it was identified during very heavy rain while work was being performed on Paterson Street.

Thornhill said the work should not cost the city any additional money beyond what was allotted for the Paterson Street Project, but could have a significant impact on reducing flows to the wastewater plant.