Greta Jimenez
The Genesee River, which flows past Eastman Kodak Co.'s photographic manufacturing plant, has been called the most industry-polluted waterway in New York. From 1990 to 1994, Kodak polluted the river with nearly 2.8 million pounds of hazardous chemicals, including cancer-causing benzene. In 2024, an alert was issued by the New York Sewage Pollution Right to Know after approximately 120,000 gallons of sewage were dumped into the river due to heavy snow melt and saturated soil. The river is set to undergo a $15 million cleanup of Kodak's silver pollution, which is believed to be harming fish and other aquatic life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pollution by sewage | 120,000 gallons of sewage dumped into the river in 2024 |
| Pollution by toxic silver | Toxic silver from Eastman Kodak Co.'s photographic manufacturing plant may be harming fish and other aquatic life |
| Cleanup funding | $15 million for cleanup of Kodak's silver pollution |
| Most polluted waterway in | New York |
| Total hazardous chemicals discharged | 3.67 million pounds |
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What You'll Learn
Kodak's silver pollution
The Genesee River in Rochester, New York, has been affected by pollution from the Eastman Kodak Company, a major employer and taxpayer in the region. In 1990, Kodak admitted to violating state anti-pollution laws and was fined $1.15 million. The company also paid an additional $1 million civil penalty to the State Department of Environmental Conservation for violating air-emission and water-quality standards.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has taken steps to remediate the pollution. In 2019, it was announced that $15 million would be allocated for the cleanup of the river. The plan includes removing sediment from silver-heavy sections of the river and replacing it with fresh soil and native plants. The work is expected to take 12 months and will be funded by an environmental trust fund created by Kodak during its bankruptcy proceedings.
The cleanup efforts aim to reduce the environmental impact of historic discharges of pollutants from the Kings Landing treatment plant, which handled Kodak Park's industrial waste. While there does not appear to be a health risk to people who use the river for recreation or consume fish from it, the silver pollution has had a detrimental effect on the river's ecosystem.
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120,000 gallons of sewage
On a Friday in late January 2024, New York State sent an alert to residents after approximately 120,000 gallons of sewage were dumped into the Genesee River. The discharge occurred along East River Road in Henrietta, with the sewage flowing north into Lake Ontario. The alert stated that the sewer system had reached maximum capacity due to rainfall after substantial snow melt, while the soil was already saturated. This resulted in an estimated discharge of 1,000 gallons of sewage per minute for approximately two hours, starting at 6:00 p.m.
The sewage was described as "partially treated" with a lime disinfectant, according to the New York Sewage Pollution Right to Know alert. While this incident is concerning, it is relatively minor compared to other discharge events, and the sewage was likely diluted due to high water flow rates in the river.
The Genesee River has a history of pollution, including silver pollution caused by Kodak, which led to a $15 million cleanup plan in 2019. The plan involved replacing dredged sediment with fresh soil and supplements to contain remaining pollutants and prevent erosion. Native plants were also to be introduced.
The river's sediment was found to be contaminated with toxic silver, which may have been harmful to fish and other aquatic life. The cleanup was expected to take 12 months, potentially spread over two years, with minimal impact on boaters, paddlers, and park users. The funding for the cleanup came from an environmental trust fund created by Kodak during its bankruptcy proceedings, totaling $49 million to address environmental issues arising before its bankruptcy protection in 2013.
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Cancer-causing chemicals
The Genesee River has been deemed the most industry-polluted waterway in New York by an environmental advocacy group. From 1990 to 1994, legal industrial discharges into the river totalled 3.67 million pounds of hazardous chemicals, with Kodak being the top polluter, responsible for almost 2.8 million pounds of hazardous chemicals.
Kodak has been specifically linked to the pollution of silver in the Lower Genesee River, with toxic silver harming fish and other aquatic life in the river. The state of New York has allocated $15 million for the cleanup of Kodak's silver pollution.
In addition to silver pollution, Kodak has also been implicated in the discharge of cancer-causing chemicals such as benzene into the Genesee River. The Washington-based Environmental Working Group made this connection in a report based on data from the federal Toxic Release Inventory.
The group's report highlighted that from 1990 to 1994, Kodak led the nation in the discharge of cancer-causing chemicals into waterways. During this period, Kodak released nearly 2.8 million pounds of hazardous chemicals into the Genesee River, which runs through Western New York. This contributed to the river's status as one of the most polluted waterways in the state.
The presence of cancer-causing chemicals in the Genesee River is a significant concern for the surrounding communities and the environment. The river's pollution has likely impacted the health of the local ecosystem, including fish and other aquatic life. Additionally, the river is a source of water for nearby residents, raising concerns about the potential health risks associated with consuming contaminated water.
To address the pollution, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reviewed and approved a remediation plan for the Lower Genesee River. The plan includes dredging and replacing the contaminated sediment with fresh soil and supplements to seal in remaining pollutants and prevent erosion. Native plants will also be introduced as part of the restoration process.
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Hazardous chemical discharge
The Genesee River, which flows past Eastman Kodak Co.'s photographic manufacturing plant, has been labelled the most industry-polluted waterway in New York by an environmental advocacy group. Hazardous chemical discharge is a significant issue for the river, with legal industrial discharges totalling 3.67 million pounds of hazardous chemicals between 1990 and 1994.
Kodak has been identified as a major contributor to this pollution, releasing nearly 2.8 million pounds of hazardous substances into the river during the same period. The company's discharge of toxic silver into the Lower Genesee River has been a particular cause for concern, with potential harm to fish and other aquatic life. In response, the state has allocated $15 million for the cleanup of Kodak's silver pollution. The remediation plan includes replacing dredged sediment with fresh soil and supplements to seal in remaining pollutants and prevent erosion, as well as the addition of native plants.
In addition to industrial pollution, the Genesee River has also experienced sewage discharges. In January 2024, approximately 120,000 gallons of sewage were dumped into the river due to heavy rain and snow melt saturating the soil and causing the sewer system to reach capacity. While the sewage was partially treated with a lime disinfectant, such incidents further contribute to the river's pollution.
The river's pollution has not gone unnoticed, with efforts being made to address the issue. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reviewed and concurred with the remediation plan for the Lower Genesee River. Additionally, an environmental trust fund created by Kodak during its bankruptcy proceedings in 2013 has provided funding for addressing environmental problems.
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Soil saturation
The Genesee River, which runs through Western New York, has been labelled the most industry-polluted waterway in the state. From 1990 to 1994, approximately 3.67 million pounds of hazardous chemicals were legally discharged into the river, with Kodak being the top polluter, responsible for almost 2.8 million pounds of hazardous waste. The company has since put $49 million into an environmental trust fund to pay for work related to environmental problems that arose before its bankruptcy in 2013.
In addition to industrial pollution, the Genesee River has also faced issues with sewage overflow. In January 2024, heavy rainfall and snowmelt caused the sewer system to reach capacity, resulting in the discharge of approximately 120,000 gallons of partially treated sewage into the river. This incident highlights the vulnerability of wastewater infrastructure to extreme weather events and the potential consequences for water quality and environmental health.
To mitigate the impact of such events, wastewater management systems must implement measures to handle excess water during periods of intense rainfall or snowmelt. This includes investing in infrastructure upgrades, such as larger pipes or retention ponds, to accommodate higher volumes of water and prevent overflows. Additionally, implementing real-time monitoring systems and early warning mechanisms can help detect rising water levels and trigger timely responses, such as diverting wastewater to alternative treatment facilities or temporary storage sites.
Furthermore, exploring nature-based solutions, such as constructing wetlands or green infrastructure, can help absorb excess water and naturally filter pollutants before they reach the river. By combining engineering solutions with ecological approaches, wastewater management systems can enhance their resilience to extreme weather events and protect the river from pollution due to sewage overflow. These measures are crucial in safeguarding the ecological integrity of the Genesee River and ensuring the health and safety of the surrounding communities that rely on it.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Genesee River is polluted. It has been called the most polluted waterway in New York.
The pollution in the Genesee River has multiple causes, including industrial discharge and sewage overflow. Kodak's photographic manufacturing plant has been identified as a major contributor to the river's pollution, particularly due to the release of toxic silver and cancer-causing chemicals.
Yes, there have been attempts to remediate the pollution. In 2019, a $15 million project was announced to address Kodak's silver pollution in the Lower Genesee River. The plan included dredging, soil replacement, and the addition of native plants to prevent further erosion and seal in remaining pollutants.
The pollution in the Genesee River has likely had a significant impact on the health of aquatic life. Toxic silver, for example, is believed to be harming fish and other organisms in the river. The full extent of the ecological damage may not be fully known.
Yes, there are ongoing efforts to address the pollution in the Genesee River. The New York Sewage Pollution Right-to-Know alert system notified residents when sewage overflowed into the river in 2024. Additionally, the state Department of Environmental Conservation has been accepting comments on remediation plans, demonstrating a continued focus on mitigating the pollution in the Genesee River.
