Adirondac Leather Fined for Wastewater Dye Violation in Johnstown

The Johnstown Common Council has imposed a $1,000 fine on Adirondac Leather for exceeding permitted dye discharge limits into the wastewater system. The incident was reported on March 9 when operators at the Gloversville-Johnstown Joint Wastewater Treatment Facility observed red wastewater traced back to the tannery's leather dye.

Although the facility is equipped to handle certain amounts of dye, the spill was deemed a violation of the industrial-use permit. Protecting the Cayadutta Creek, which has seen significant recovery in water quality, remains a priority for local officials. The creek had a history of pollution due to industrial discharges but is now recognized as an important trout fishery, underscoring the critical need for regulatory compliance.