FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE01-45a
October
15, 2001
Contact: Geoff Ryan
(718/595-6600)
Emergency
Repairs Completed At 26th Ward Wastewater Treatment Plant
On Saturday, October 13th, at 3:20 p.m., emergency repairs were completed
at the 26th Ward Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) according to an announcement
by Commissioner Joel A. Miele Sr., P.E., of the New York City Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP). The repairs, which began at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday,
October 11th. and required a bypass of wastewater to Jamaica Bay, were accomplished
in 55 hours and 20 minutes 16 hours and 40 minutes less than the expected
72 hours.
As a result of the expedited emergency repair, approximately 104 million
gallons of wastewater were released to the bay - about 60 million gallons
less than had been anticipated. The water quality impact from the bypass was
limited in its geographic extent. The three impacted creeks (Spring, Fresh
and Hendrix) showed elevated coliform levels near the mouths in the open waters
of the Bay, but surrounding waters in Jamaica Bay showed little or no elevation
from their normal levels. Dissolved oxygen (DO) also showed a slight decline
but, because of prevailing weather conditions, DOs remained generally higher
than expected. DEP Marine Sciences Section will continue its assessment of
the impacts though the Harbor Survey and Tributary Monitoring Programs during
the coming weeks.
Two contractors working concurrently installed a steel liner in a ruptured
force main, two permanent submersible pumps, reinforcements of a wet well
and a 54-inch gate valve. The repairs were designed and implemented to avoid
the need for such a bypass in the future.
DEP advises that people may resume recreational activities in the area by
Wednesday, October 17th.