The Eastman Business Park has a dedicated industrial wastewater treatment plant, which is located at the east end of the park in the Genesee River Valley gorge. The treatment plant uses physical, chemical and biological processes that remove organic and inorganic pollutants. The plant is capable of treating an average of 36 million gallons per day, and currently has headroom for additional loading.
The process is capable of and permitted to treat many types of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes from various manufacturing processes. New process wastes do need to be reviewed prior to discharge. Sludge generated from the wastewater is treated in an on-site incinerator, and the ash is sent for precious metals reclamation. Treated effluent is discharged to the Genesee River, and is regulated by a New York State issued discharge permit. An unusual feature of the plant is a 500 kilowatt hydroelectric turbine-generator which produces electricity, used in the treatment process, from the energy in the wastewater as it travels down the 180 foot high river gorge.