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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
13-80
July 16, 2013 CONTACT: Chris Gilbride/Ted Timbers (DEP) (718) 595-6600 Recreational Water Advisory for Hudson and East Rivers Until 4:00 PM TodayThe New York City Departments of Environmental Protection and Health and Mental Hygiene have issued a recreational water body advisory for the Hudson and East Rivers through 4:00 PM today, Tuesday, July 16. Recreational users–including boating and kayaking–should avoid contact with Hudson River water in the area from the George Washington Bridge and south to Lower Manhattan and East River water from Lower Manhattan north to the Manhattan Bridge. Swimming within those areas is not advised at this time. The advisory follows an overnight electrical issue that caused the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant in Harlem to discharge raw sewage into the Hudson River. During the incident the Department of Environmental Protection took additional steps to disinfect the water being discharged from the plant using bleach. The Department will continue to sample water quality along the Hudson and East Rivers and work with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to sample water quality at beaches. There is no anticipated impact on public beaches. | |