Binghamton and Johnson City, N.Y., officials are waiting for a state report that could shut down their jointly owned and operated wastewater treatment plant for safety issues after a treatment cell wall collapsed last month, dumping 580,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater into the Susquehanna River.

Only seven non-union employees are entering the area after 41 union workers complained about the safety of the plant's biological aerated filtration (BAF) treatment system section and a leaking roof in the facility's control room. The BAF system was installed as part of an upgrade in 2004-2006.

The New York State Dept. of Labor conducted an inspection on May 25 and 26, and the report is due before the end of June.

Delta Engineers, Surveyors & Land Surveyors of Endwell, N.Y., reversed its stand on the safety of the plant on May 26, saying it “is not in a position to offer an opinion as to whether the facility should remain open.”

LMK Engineers LLC of Pottstown, Pa., issued a construction audit in February, listing more than 150 construction deficiencies. The report cited “inadequate construction management” and “vague or missing” expansion joint details between treatment cells and “numerous leaks” at intersecting cell walls.

Ed Crumb, then sewer board chairman, last summer e-mailed nine photos of wall separations, chipped concrete and leaks to Binghamton and Johnson City council members, trustees and mayors.

Annual reports for 2008 and 2009 also refer to leaks in the BAF building.

Binghamton Mayor Matthew T. Ryan's office has not returned calls for comment

The $67-million plant has provided secondary treatment since May 16, when a 100-ft wall collapsed, taking out four of its 20 filtration cells.