Politics & Government

Health Dept: Hudson Waters Clean by 11 p.m.

Sewage leaking into Hudson has stopped, Rockland officials say; Ironman race on, kayak race cancelled

Rocklanders can venture back into Hudson River waters safely at 11 p.m. Friday night, according to the Rockland County Department of Health.

The announcement comes on the heels of a sewage line break in Tarrytown Thursday, from a location in Sleepy Hollow.

Health officials after the incident, urging residents not to come into direct contact with the river waters.

Find out what's happening in Nyack-Piermontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The busted sewer main in Westchester has been patched, however, and sewage is no longer flowing out, officials said.

"Westchester County crews worked around the clock and were able to complete the repairs and stop the discharge of chlorinated sewage earlier today," Rockland health authorities said. "It is estimated that a total of approximately 3.4 million gallons of chlorinated sewage were discharged into the Hudson River at Sleepy Hollow."

Find out what's happening in Nyack-Piermontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The breakage and leak happens just before two major river events this weekend: the U.S. Ironman Championship swim, and . The kayak race has been called off, but the Ironman swim is still on.

"Our team worked diligently with local environmental and health departments to monitor and thoroughly test the water," said Emily Vicker, a spokeswoman with Ironman. "The New York City Department of Environmental Protection tested the water following the break and the reports show the water is safe for swimming."

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