this is unrelated to last month's sewage treatment plant failure in northern manhattan. seems one positive thing that came from that event is raised awareness of the water quality.
NEWS RELEASE
Cheryl Archbald, MD, MPH, Acting Commissioner, Department of Health
Ned McCormack, Communications Director
Contact: Caren Halbfinger
(914) 813-5013 / after hours: 813-5000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 11, 2011
AVOID CONTACT WITH THE HUDSON RIVER IN WESTCHESTER
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.