The operator of the fifth largest sewage treatment plant in the nation says it can make no promise as to when the plant will stop polluting the New York harbor.
A 12-foot surge of water swamped the Newark plant that serves some 3 million people when Sandy struck on Oct. 29 and repairs are not incomplete.
Mike DiFrancisci, executive director of the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission, would only say "ASAP" when asked when repairs to the sprawling facility could be made.
Until then, the main outfall will continue dumping millions of gallons of partially treated human waste a day at a point close to the Statue of Liberty across from Manhattan.
Pathogens in partially treated waste are a health hazard and public safety threat, officials said.
Fishing, crabbing and shellfishing bans in the New Jersey waters of the harbor will remain in effect, said Larry Ragonese, a Department of Environmetal Protection spokesman.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection also issued an advisory to residents to avoid contact with the water. While no target date has been set for repairs at the plant to be completed, DiFrancisci said he expected the facility, which has miles of underground chambers and pipes, to be redesigned to withstand the new reality of storms like Sandy.
"Underneath it would be no different than being in a battleship, making sure the doors are watertight," DiFrancisci said.
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
Bringing this up again. New article from the NY Times...
The article says the drinking water is OK but I wouldn't bet the farm on it. Where I live, the water smells really chemical. So, it may just have been treated with alot of junk. In any case, it's not very good. I've been trying to drink mostly bottled water or filtered & boiled water.
It probably doesn't effect NYC too much since they get most of their water from upstate but it does effect other areas in NY, Long Island & NJ. I'd be very careful of any seafood from the area for a while. It does not mention when this will be cleared up.
Many cities have problems with sewage going into the local waterways during heavy rain. You may want to look into it. I read about this when I lived in the south (USA).
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