This is What Happens When it Rains
The Sewage Pollution Right to Know Law, and related disclosure efforts, have revealed to the public the state of wastewater infrastructure. Below are reports made public so far today for discharges to the Hudson River Watershed.
The Department of Environmental Conservation estimated the need for wastewater investments at $36 billion, over 20 years, including nearly $30 billion for maintaining and improving pipes, pump stations and plants to reduce these types of overflows and failures. Riverkeeper wants to see the Governor and State Legislature continue to close the gap in wastewater funding by significantly increasing the funding for the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and Environmental Protection Fund lines for treatment plant improvements, and non-point urban and agricultural runoff.
Until we meet the need for wastewater treatment, this is what will happen when it rains heavily, as it has today:
Hudson River
City of Newburgh reported discharging 5,000 gallons per minute of untreated sewage, for 22 hours and counting, into the Hudson River at several combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharge points.
City of Hudson reported discharging 500 gallons per minute of untreated sewage, for one hour and counting, into North Bay on the Hudson River, at sewage treatment plant. The city also reported discharging 500 gallons per minute into the Hudson River from a manhole at 58-98 North Front Street for 4.5 hours and counting. And it reported having discharged 100 gallons per minute of untreated sewage and stormwater from the South Front Street pump station into the Hudson River for less than one hour.
Rensselaer County discharging 500 gallons per minute of untreated sewage, for five hours and counting, at 7 Hamilton Way, in Castleton-on-Hudson.
Village of Coxsackie reported discharging 25 gallons per minute of sewage partially treated with disinfection, for eight hours and counting, from its sewage treatment plant. Coxsackie also reported discharging 25 gallons per minute of untreated sewage, for 12 hours and counting, to the Coxsackie Creek at the West Coxsackie pump station.
Capital District reported several active CSOs, based on models.
Town of Ulster reported discharging 4,000 gallons from the Whittier Sewer District pump station at 379 Ulster Landing Rd.
Mohawk River
City of Schenectady reported discharging 2,000 gallons per minute of sewage partially treated with disinfection, for 7.5 hours and counting, at Alco site pump station.
Oneida County reported discharging 1,040 gallons per minute of sewage partially treated with disinfection, for more than 15 hours and counting, from Outfall 002 at the Sauquoit Creek Pumping Station in Yorkville.
Capital District reported several active CSOs, based on models.
Hudson River tributaries
Rondout Creek: City of Kingston CSO monitors reported discharges from Hasbrouck Pump House and Wilbur Avenue.
Kromma Kill: Town of Colonie reported discharging 100 gallons per minute of untreated sewage, for nearly 10 hours and counting, at 320 Watervliet Shaker Roard in Watervliet.
Wynants Kill: Rensselaer County reported discharging 100 gallons per minute of untreated sewage for 52 hours and counting, at 24-28 Elm Ct.
New York City
Ten CSO advisories were listed in New York City waters, based on models predicting the discharge of high volumes of raw sewage combined with street water into these waterways:
BERGEN BASIN: CSO Advisory until 10/01/2015 7:00 AM
BRONX RIVER: CSO Advisory until 9/30/2015 6:00 PM
FLUSHING BAY: CSO Advisory until 9/30/2015 6:00 PM
FLUSHING CREEK: CSO Advisory until 10/01/2015 6:00 AM
FRESH CREEK: CSO Advisory until 9/30/2015 7:00 PM
GOWANUS CANAL: CSO Advisory until 10/02/2015 6:00 AM
HUTCHINSON RIVER: CSO Advisory until 9/30/2015 6:00 PM
NEWTOWN CREEK: CSO Advisory until 10/01/2015 6:00 PM
THURSTON BASIN: CSO Advisory until 10/01/2015 7:00 AM
WESTCHESTER CREEK: CSO Advisory until 10/01/2015 6:00 AM