Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO)

CSOs are one of the primary reasons we still have dangerous spikes of sewage contamination in the Hudson. This one is from Manhattan (there are 500 of them in NYC alone), but we see the same thing in Troy and CSOs exist at many communities in between. Generally CSOs only discharge untreated sewage when there has been a rain event that overloads the system – but not always. These sewage discharges are “permitted” by NYS but it’s unacceptable that we still have these problems 37 years after passage of the Clean Water Act. It doesn’t have to continue this way. The public has to demand better – then polluters will lose permits and funding to repair the system will be found.

CSO flows into the Harlem River

Another PERMITTED pollution discharge. This Combined Sewage Overflow (CSO) is on the Manhattan side of the Harlem River. The discharge water is steaming and gulls are eating the floating solids coming out of the sewer pipe.

CSO flowing in Troy

Troy, just above City Marina. A massive discharge from a CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow) discharge during heavy rain event. See the DEC permit sign on the fence above the discharge.

We often see locals fishing at this location. Riverkeeper is working with local municipalities, the NYSDEC and local sewer plants to reduce sewage overflows and install proper disinfection systems at plants in Albany, Troy and Rensselaer.

This sign in Troy represents a NY State PERMIT TO POLLUTE. These signs are all up and down the Hudson.

Pollution and sprawl appear along our shores

Photos by John Lipscomb4/11/07: Development in Middle Hope just north of Newburgh. There is a wetland on other side of the tracks. This is a perfect example of sprawl and poor land stewardship. We’ve been monitoring this development for three years but there has been no clear violation of the Clean Water Act.

Continued up to Poughkeepsie at Clinton Point with a Pace student to investigate a quarry owned by Tilcon. This is the 3rd student to work on the case. We are contesting the DEC’s permits for discharges into Hudson. This delta creek contains stone dust and gravel.

Stopped at site of new house construction between Manitou at Garrison. For some reason the builder decided to throw the demolition debris into the river – we are proceeding with enforcement.

Patrolled at Tomkins Cove and the Lovett Power Plant. Took some pictures of their yellow gunderboom which is a fish and larvae excluding curtain. This kind of set up is a poor substitute for closed cycle cooling. The gunderboom is open at the north end which entirely defeats the purpose of the boom. We have an attorney working on the case.