ADVISORY: AVOID CONTACT WITH THE HUDSON RIVER IN WESTCHESTER

Advisory from The Westchester County Department of Health:

Sewage Discharge in Ossining Closes Two Beaches

The Westchester County Department of Health has notified area marinas and boating clubs and has advised Croton Point Park Beach and Philipse Manor Beach to close today, as a result of a sewer main break in Ossining.

The Westchester County Department of Health was notified of the incident today and also advises people who use the Hudson River waters for recreational purposes, namely swimmers, boaters, windsurfers and kayakers, to avoid direct contact with the Hudson River until further notice. The Health Department is collecting beach water quality samples today and will issue an updated advisory based on sample results received tomorrow.

The village of Ossining today reported that a fallen tree had caused a break in an 18-inch sewer main, which is discharging sewage into Killbrook Creek, near the intersection of Water Street and Central Avenue in Ossining, about a quarter mile from the Hudson River. The health department estimates 1.5 million gallons per day of sewage is discharging due to the break. The village is adding chlorine solution upstream to provide partial treatment of the sewage before it is discharged to the Hudson River, and is working to repair the break.
The health department will continue to monitor the situation and respond as needed.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation,the New York State Department of Health, and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection have been notified.

For more information on the status of repairs to the sewer main break, contact the Village of Ossining.

Cheryl Archbald, MD, MPH, Acting Commissioner, Department of Health
Ned McCormack, Communications Director
Contact: Caren Halbfinger (914) 813-5013 / after hours: 813-5000