NJ DEP Assesses Effect of Sewage Flow Into Hudson After NYC Fire

The State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) urged New Jersey residents to refrain from “recreational uses” of the Hudson River while the department assesses the potential effects of a fire at a New York City wastewater treatment plant Wednesday that left untreated wastewater flowing directly into the river, DEP officials said Thursday.

The fire caused the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant across the Hudson from Edgewater to shut down and raw sewage to flow continuously into the river since about 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, officials said.

The DEP announced Thursday it was in the process of determining “whether or when” any New Jersey land may be affected and monitoring water quality ensure there are no public health or safety risks, state officials said, adding that DEP-manned boats were on the river Thursday afternoon performing visual inspections and taking water samples.

The DEP “strongly recommended” that people not swim, kayak or take part in other recreational activities on the Hudson, including fishing and crabbing, until officials have a clearer picture of the potential impacts of the sewage flow.

Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich said Thursday that the borough has been contacted by the DEP in the wake of the incident and advised of the potential hazards.

“The Hudson River apparently is high in contaminants,” Sokolich said at Thursday’s Mayor and Council regular meeting. “Until this problem is resolved, we’ve been asked for all of our residents if they can avoid either being in the Hudson or swimming in the Hudson or coming into contact with the Hudson and boating and things of that nature—if you can avoid it for the next few days until we’re subsequently warned and advised by the Port Authority.”

State officials say they will provide periodic updates to affected municipalities and health departments and an update on when people can resume normal uses of the Hudson River.