Arthur Gibson, Baxter Healthcare’s Vice President of Environment, Health & Safety, and Sustainability recently invited representatives from the Long Lake Improvement and Sanitation Association to a meeting at Baxter’s Round Lake facility to discuss the ongoing concerns related to their privately owned and operated waste water treatment plant which discharges into Squaw Creek, a tributary of Long Lake.
During this very positive meeting, we clarified facts related to Baxter’s discharge, learned more about the nature of their recent IEPA permit violations, and reiterated LLISA’s strong preference that Baxter connect to the municipal sewer.
We are encouraged to learn that Baxter takes this issue very seriously and has taken immediate steps to remedy their recent violations. For example, when Baxter traced the spike in biological oxygen demand to the processing of returned products of solutions containing dextrose, they immediately stopped this activity.
More importantly, Baxter has been aggressively researching alternatives to their aging waste water treatment facility. Since the late 1990’s, Baxter has periodically contracted with consultants to study the options available. The most recent study, initiated with Stanley consultants in 2015, is now complete and resulted in three alternatives:
1. Substantial upgrade and improvement of the current system
2. Installation of a new, state-of-the-art treatment system
3. Connection to the public sewer system
We believe the connection to public sewer to be in the best interest of both Baxter and Long Lake. Much has changed in the past 10-15 years that makes connection to the sewer a more viable option now than ever before.
We will continue to be in close communication with Mr. Gibson from Baxter and relay news as it becomes available. We will continue advocating for the health of Long Lake with Baxter, local and state governments, and the IEPA. We are hopeful that a resolution to these ongoing concerns will become a reality in the coming months. Stay tuned this winter for further updates.
During this very positive meeting, we clarified facts related to Baxter’s discharge, learned more about the nature of their recent IEPA permit violations, and reiterated LLISA’s strong preference that Baxter connect to the municipal sewer.
We are encouraged to learn that Baxter takes this issue very seriously and has taken immediate steps to remedy their recent violations. For example, when Baxter traced the spike in biological oxygen demand to the processing of returned products of solutions containing dextrose, they immediately stopped this activity.
More importantly, Baxter has been aggressively researching alternatives to their aging waste water treatment facility. Since the late 1990’s, Baxter has periodically contracted with consultants to study the options available. The most recent study, initiated with Stanley consultants in 2015, is now complete and resulted in three alternatives:
1. Substantial upgrade and improvement of the current system
2. Installation of a new, state-of-the-art treatment system
3. Connection to the public sewer system
We believe the connection to public sewer to be in the best interest of both Baxter and Long Lake. Much has changed in the past 10-15 years that makes connection to the sewer a more viable option now than ever before.
We will continue to be in close communication with Mr. Gibson from Baxter and relay news as it becomes available. We will continue advocating for the health of Long Lake with Baxter, local and state governments, and the IEPA. We are hopeful that a resolution to these ongoing concerns will become a reality in the coming months. Stay tuned this winter for further updates.
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