Albany, NY — Environmental Advocates of New York has
released an update to its 2016 report
Tapped Out: New York’s Clean Water in Peril. The new analysis of data published by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) per the Sewage
Pollution Right to Know Act of 2012 (the Act) shows that from May
2013 to July 2017, a total of 10,687 overflows were reported,
translating into over 3.8 billion gallons of sewage being
discharged into waterways.
While the increase in reporting of overflows is
evidence that the Act is working, significant underreporting of overflow
events continues to exist. The data indicates more work is needed to
help municipalities fully comply with the Act
and more funding is needed for municipalities to address aging
infrastructure. For example: 32 percent of all reported overflows did not include the spill volume; since 2013, Chemung County has reported only 1 sewage overflow; and western New York continues to have the highest rate of reported overflows (besides NYC), which highlights their success at reporting.
Liz Moran, water and natural resources director at
Environmental Advocates of New York said, “Every time there are heavy
rains, New York’s most precious resource, its waterways, get hit with
sewage overflows. Our new analysis shows that
New Yorker’s are starting to get a clearer picture of the state of
their water thanks to much improved sewage overflow reporting.
Unfortunately, that picture shows billions of gallons of raw sewage
plague our waterways. Until we see a sustained, annual investment
of at least $800 million to fix our pipes, rampant sewage overflows
that threaten public health and quality of life will only continue.”
Elizabeth Bourguet,
coauthor and clean water fellow at Environmental Advocates of New York
said, “The intent of the Sewage Pollution Right to Know Law is to ensure
the public knows what is going into their water
– the cost of not knowing could greatly impact their health. More than
one-third of the reports listed a discharged volume of zero gallons,
which means the state and members of the public are in the dark about
the extent of the pollution in their water during
overflow events. The DEC must ensure that these communities submit
reports that contain the actual volume of the discharge, as not doing so
might constitute a violation of law.”
The Sewage Action Plan for 2018
Provide additional staff funding for DEC.
Municipalities and wastewater operators need a properly funded DEC so
they have the support necessary to comply with sewage reporting and can
address the root of the problem.
Increase funding for water infrastructure grants.
The SFY2018-19 Budget should include at least $800 million annually for
the WIIA program. Additional funding will enable greater reach to
communities with high water infrastructure
needs.
Provide financial support for communities to
monitor sewage discharges. In addition to the funding needed to repair
old infrastructure, DEC must ensure communities have the resources they
need to accurately monitor, and report
the volume, of sewage discharges.
Source: Environmental Advocates of New York
No comments:
Post a Comment