Westchester County Advises Swimmers and Boaters to Avoid Hudson River
Westchester County Advises Swimmers and Boaters to Avoid Hudson River
A force main break in Ossining has caused partially treated sewage to be released into the river
by Janine Annett
Rivertowns — The Westchester County Department of Health has advised swimmers and recreational boaters from Peekskill to Yonkers to avoid the Hudson River until further notice.
The advisory came after a force main break at the Crotonville sewer pump station in Ossining caused partially treated sewage to be released into the Hudson River. Croton Point Park Beach and Philipse Manor Beach are currently closed and will remain closed until further notice.
Westchester’s Department of Environmental Facilities is working on repairing the section of 24-inch cast iron pipe that was broken at the pump station. Until the repair is completed, up to one million gallons of partially treated sewage could be released into the Hudson River each day.
Depending on the tides, the partially treated sewage can affect the water in the Hudson River as far north and Peeskskill and as far south as Yonkers.
Untreated or partially treated sewage can contain bacteria, viruses, parasites, and dangerous chemicals. Direct contact with sewage can result in illnesses such as diarrhea; gastroenteritis; hepatitis A; or skin, eye, and ear infections.
For more information on the status of the Hudson River following the sewage discharge in Ossining, go to http://health.westchestergov.com.
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