UPDATE: Twaalfskill Brook Sewage Spill, Kingston
Twaalfskill sewage discharge, July 16.
View more images on our Flickr site
On Tuesday, July 16, Riverkeeper observed the City of Kingston’s efforts to control the flow of sewage into the Twaalfskill Brook, a tributary of the tidal Rondout Creek. The sewage discharge, which has been estimated at 500,000 gallons per day, has been flowing since at least July 8, when it was first observed by local watchdog Rob Ferris, who reported it the following day. (Click link for previous report.)
On the morning of Tuesday, July 16, the flow from the pipe continued, as did the smell of sewage and the milky appearance that accompanies sewage discharges not only at the pipe but at the point where the brook disappears underground just before it reaches the Rondout Creek.
Twaalfskill sewage discharge, July 16.
The flow had visibly lessened, and construction activity indicated the City of Kingston was in the midst of its response to the spill.
Construction related to Twaalfskill sewage discharge, July 16
Construction related to Twaalfskill sewage discharge, July 16
In a press release dated July 16, the city stated that a Sanitary Sewer Overflow “was initially thought to be a result of soil loss in the vicinity of the Tannery Brook Shaft where much work has been focused over the past several years, however, after identifying a new sinkhole adjacent to Gilead Street, and failing to clear the obstruction by means of water jetting this past Saturday, a pipe collapse was confirmed through the use of remote inspection equipment, sewer camera. The location of the pipe collapse is that section of 24-inch diameter sewer pipe between the terminus of the Washington Avenue Tunnel and the Wilbur Avenue Sanitary Sewer. At this time, manpower and equipment is being mobilized to first, bypass the sanitary sewer overflow from the stormwater outfall wherein it currently flows, to the Wilbur Avenue Sanitary Sewer, and then to complete needed repairs. Workmen have been authorized to work continuously until the sanitary overflows are contained.”
Also on Tuesday, July 16, Riverkeeper issued a press release: Kingston Violates Sewage Pollution Right to Know Law, noting that a public health threat was ongoing for days before the city notified the public.
“The most important action that a community like Kingston can take when they have a sewage discharge is to immediately notify the public that may come into contact with that water,” said Tracy Brown, Water Quality Advocate for Riverkeeper. “Notification not only protects the public from exposure to sewage, it also rallies public support for needed investment in local wastewater infrastructure–the source of the problem.” Kingston has popular swimming, kayaking and boating spots on Rondout Creek and the Hudson River.”