SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK
631-447-5252
Starting in May, sewage treatment plant operators in New York will have to let the public and state know when untreated or partially treated sewage spills or leaks into waters used for swimming, fishing and other activities. The "Sewage Pollution Right to Know" law, signed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo earlier this month, requires publicly-owned treatment plants and sewer systems to notify the public within four hours of sewage entering bodies of water. They also must file a report with the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Health. Currently incidents like this need only be reported to the DEC and local health departments. "New Yorkers have a right to know when potentially harmful, untreated sewage is discharged into waterways in their communities," Cuomo said. The bill also requires that the DEC publish annual reports detailing the amount of spillage and actions taken to clean it.
More than 100 privately owned smaller treatment plants on Long Island are exempt from this legislation. Environmentalists hailed the measure, saying exposure to even small amounts of untreated sewage can cause short-term and chronic illnesses. "The signing of this monumental public health law will allow families to make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary exposure to harmful sewage pollution," said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection initially opposed the bill but in a statement, a spokesman said "the legislation is consistent with our goal to better inform New Yorkers about our continuing work to improve water quality." Last Fall Nassau County, which operates five treatment plants, started an email notification service that residents could sign up for, to alert residents of sewage discharges, overflows and chemical spills.
The county issued more than a dozen alerts since the program began, the majority related to blocked storm drains, Nassau Department of Public Works spokesman Mike Martino said. Suffolk County didn't respond to a request for information. Hopefully this bill will lead to more public knowledge and safer use of the water we interact with.
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