Brian Barton
New York City's waterways have a long history of pollution, with the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn being one of the most polluted bodies of water in the United States. The East River, bordering Manhattan, has also been heavily polluted by industrial use, sewage, and stormwater runoff. While the city has made efforts to improve water quality and reduce combined sewer overflows, the public still perceives the East River as highly polluted. Climate change poses an additional challenge, increasing the vulnerability of New York's extensive coastline to sea-level rise and major storms. With over 110,000 people in Manhattan living in flood-prone areas, the need for waterfront protection and resilience against climate events is pressing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Water quality | New York City's rivers, harbors, and bays are cleaner than they've been since the Civil War. |
| Waterways pollution sources | Combined sewer overflows, stormwater, upstream contamination, runoff, legally permitted discharges, illegal sewer connections, historical and present-day industrial pollution |
| Gowanus Canal | One of the most polluted bodies of water in the United States, with a history of industrial and sewage pollution. |
| East River | Once heavily polluted, now the cleanest it's been in a century. |
| Bronx River | Polluted by CSOs, direct drainage, stormwater drains, and Westchester County runoff. |
| Coastal storms | Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of coastal storms, putting New York's coastal areas at risk. |
| Flood risk | Over 110,000 people in Manhattan live in the 100-year floodplain, and the city is still not prepared for another Hurricane Sandy-like event. |
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What You'll Learn
- The East River: once-polluted waterway now cleanest in a century
- Gowanus Canal: one of the most polluted bodies of water in the US
- Climate change: rising sea levels and storms put Manhattan's waterfront at risk
- Combined sewer overflows: NYC's long-term control plans to reduce CSOs
- Industrial pollution: historical and present-day impacts on Manhattan's waterfront
The East River: once-polluted waterway now cleanest in a century
The East River, which runs through four of New York City's five boroughs, has historically been associated with pollution and industrial waste. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the East River served as a convenient dumping ground for industrial waste and raw sewage, as factories and manufacturing plants lined its shores. This degradation was further exacerbated by New York City's inadequate sewage system, which couldn't handle the growing population, resulting in untreated sewage flowing into the river.
However, significant improvements have been made over the years, and today, the East River is the cleanest it has been in a century. This remarkable turnaround is largely due to the implementation of stricter regulations on waste disposal and the construction of modern sewage treatment plants, as mandated by the Clean Water Act of 1972. The Act's funding has played a crucial role in reducing pollution in the river and improving water quality. Additionally, the decline of polluting industries along the waterfront has contributed to the river's recovery.
While the East River is much cleaner now, it still faces challenges. Combined sewer overflows (CSOs), trash, microplastics, and other pollutants continue to threaten the river's ecology. During heavy rainfall, the city's aging sewer system becomes overwhelmed, resulting in a mixture of rainwater and untreated sewage spilling directly into the river. This issue of CSOs is a significant source of pollution that environmental groups are actively advocating to address.
To further improve the health of the East River, various measures are being considered and implemented. The city has invested in upgrading sewage treatment facilities and adding green infrastructure to reduce runoff. Additionally, the state is debating changing the standards for waterway cleanliness to comply with the federal Clean Water Act. Environmentalists are pushing for more robust stormwater management plans, incentivizing landowners to incorporate green infrastructure, and addressing plastic pollution.
The journey towards restoring the East River to a healthy waterway is ongoing and requires continuous efforts from individuals, communities, and policymakers. While swimming in the river is still not advisable, the return of marine life, such as dolphins, is a positive sign of environmental progress. With dedicated conservation efforts and community engagement, the East River may once again become a thriving and swimmable ecosystem for New Yorkers to enjoy.
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Gowanus Canal: one of the most polluted bodies of water in the US
The Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, New York City, is one of the most polluted bodies of water in the United States. The canal, originally known as Gowanus Creek, is 1.8 miles long and is connected to Gowanus Bay in Upper New York Bay. It was built in the mid-1800s and was once a major industrial transportation route, with manufactured gas plants (MGPs), paper mills, tanneries, and chemical plants operating along its banks. These industries discharged their wastes directly into the canal, and it continues to receive pollution from combined sewer overflows (CSOs) that carry sanitary waste and rainwater from storm drains.
The Gowanus Canal has been designated a Superfund site by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indicating that it is a highly contaminated site requiring extensive cleanup and remediation. The canal is known for its high levels of contamination, including pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), heavy metals (including mercury, lead, and copper), coal tar wastes, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These contaminants pose significant risks to both human health and the environment, with many being toxic to aquatic life and suspected of causing cancer in humans.
The EPA and local authorities have been working on cleanup efforts for the Gowanus Canal. In 2020, contractors began the initial phase of dredging in the main channel, removing approximately 35,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment. The dredged material was treated, and the water was pumped back into the canal, while the dewatered sediment was processed for beneficial use as landfill cover. Additionally, the EPA has been involved in designing combined sewer overflow (CSO) retention tanks and coordinating with the PRP Group for the middle section of the canal.
Despite these efforts, the Gowanus Canal remains heavily polluted. The water is considered unsafe to drink or swim in, and contact with the water is generally discouraged. The canal has been described as being composed of "mud, poo, detergent, oil, and gasoline", and even with protective swimwear, one individual described the experience of swimming through it as akin to "swimming through a dirty diaper".
The Gowanus Canal's pollution has attracted attention from popular culture, featuring in books, films, and television shows. With its proximity to Manhattan and upper-class Brooklyn neighbourhoods, the canal's pollution has also sparked renewed calls for environmental cleanup and concerns about the compatibility of adjacent waterfront economic development with environmental restoration and risks.
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Climate change: rising sea levels and storms put Manhattan's waterfront at risk
Climate change poses a significant threat to Manhattan's waterfront, with rising sea levels and increasingly severe storms putting the area at risk. With over 500 miles of coastline, New York is highly vulnerable to the impacts of sea-level rise and major storms. Experts estimate that by 2050, sea levels could rise by another 11-21 inches, putting Manhattan's coastal areas, including its waterfront, at risk of destruction from storms and flooding.
The risks are not just theoretical; the impacts of climate change are already being felt in Manhattan. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused widespread damage and flooding in the city, and a decade later, the city is still recovering and preparing for future climate events. The storm highlighted the vulnerability of Manhattan's waterfront, with flooding affecting many coastal communities and infrastructure. The next major storm could happen at any time, and despite federal funding and efforts to improve coastal resilience, the city is still not fully prepared.
One of the biggest challenges in preparing for rising sea levels and storms is the number of agencies involved in coastal resilience projects. Manhattan's coastal resiliency projects involve 11 city agencies, which can lead to delays and coordination issues. This fragmentation of responsibility has resulted in a lack of progress in completing functional segments of the coastal resiliency projects, leaving Manhattan's waterfront vulnerable to future climate events.
In addition to the risks posed by rising sea levels and storms, Manhattan's waterfront also faces environmental justice issues related to water pollution. Historically, communities of color have been disproportionately affected by polluted water bodies due to systemic housing discrimination. Areas like the South Bronx, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Red Hook, and Gowanus Canal have been heavily polluted by industrial use, sewer outflows, and toxic emissions from nearby roadways. While efforts are being made to clean up these sites, the legacy of pollution continues to impact the health and well-being of nearby residents.
To address the risks posed by climate change and pollution, a comprehensive approach is needed. This includes continued investment in improving water quality, reducing combined sewer overflows, and managing stormwater runoff. Additionally, the creation of a NYC Waterfront Protection Agency has been proposed to streamline efforts to protect Manhattan's waterfront and ensure the city is prepared for the inevitable impacts of climate change. By addressing both the environmental and social dimensions of water pollution and climate change, Manhattan can work towards creating a more resilient and equitable future for its waterfront communities.
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Combined sewer overflows: NYC's long-term control plans to reduce CSOs
New York City's waterways have been historically mistreated, with industrial use, sewer outflows, and combined sewer overflows (CSOs) polluting the water. CSOs occur when, during heavy rainstorms, combined sewers receive higher-than-normal flows, and treatment plants are unable to handle the excess. This results in a mix of stormwater and untreated sewage being discharged directly into the city's waterways, degrading water quality and creating health risks for human users and local wildlife.
To address this issue, NYC has proposed long-term control plans to reduce CSOs. These plans include investing in both "Green" and "Grey" infrastructure solutions. "Green" infrastructure practices aim to manage stormwater runoff by slowing down, absorbing, and filtering it before it can enter the sewer system or local water bodies. Examples include green roofs, bioswales, rain gardens, and rainwater harvesting. "Grey" infrastructure, on the other hand, refers to traditional infrastructure such as sewers, tunnels, and wastewater treatment plants. Upgrading and increasing the capacity of treatment plants, as well as creating large storage tanks or tunnels to hold CSO during rain events, are examples of "Grey" infrastructure solutions.
The city has also submitted 11 separate cleanup plans for different waterways affected by CSOs and is considering changing the standards for waterway cleanliness to comply with the federal Clean Water Act. Additionally, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has implemented sewer retrofits and replacements, and major capital investments in drainage planning to reduce CSOs.
While these plans are a step in the right direction, critics argue that they do not consider the overall health of the waterways, as they focus primarily on CSOs. Other sources of pollution, such as direct drainage and stormwater runoff, also significantly contribute to the problem. Furthermore, the necessary funding to achieve swimmable waters will impact water rates, so progress must be gradual.
The conversation around water quality in New York is disjointed, and the city has been under a consent order to fix the issue since the first Bush administration. However, with increased pressure from regulators and advocates, NYC is finally taking comprehensive action to improve water quality and reduce CSOs, which will benefit both the city and its residents.
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Industrial pollution: historical and present-day impacts on Manhattan's waterfront
New York City's waterfronts have been impacted by industrial pollution since the 19th century. The city's waterways, including the Bronx River, have been heavily polluted by industrial use and sewer outflows. In the 1800s, the North American Kerosene Oil Works established the area as a site for refining coal into lamp oil, and the subsequent boom in petroleum led to the construction of refineries in Queens and Brooklyn. By 1860, most of New York's refineries were in these boroughs, lining the Gowanus Canal and Newtown Creek. This led to toxic legacy issues, with the contamination seeping into the soil and discharging into the air.
The Gowanus Canal and Newtown Creek are now U.S. EPA-designated Superfund sites, requiring hazardous waste cleanup. Historically, the waterfront was largely inaccessible to the public due to commercial maritime activities, with docks, piers, factories, railways, and highways impeding access. In recent years, sections have been reclaimed for housing and recreation, such as Brooklyn Bridge Park and Hudson River Park.
The fishing industry was also present in lower Manhattan until 2005, when it relocated to the Hunts Point Market in The Bronx. During the mid-20th century, New York was one of the world's greatest port cities, with infrastructure extending beyond lower Manhattan into Brooklyn's waterfront. However, in the 1960s, the commercial cargo industry moved to New Jersey, leaving many of New York's plans for waterfront infrastructure improvements unrealised.
Today, the city continues to struggle with the impacts of industrial pollution and inadequate sewage treatment facilities. Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and stormwater runoff contribute to the pollution of waterways and coastal areas. Climate change exacerbates these issues, as heavy rainfall and storm surges can disturb contaminated sediments and inundate areas storing hazardous materials.
Efforts are being made to address these issues, with the NYC Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice working to improve water quality and reduce exposure to contaminants. Community organisations in areas like Sunset Park have also developed toolkits to prepare for flooding events and reduce potential exposure to hazardous substances.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the waterfront by Manhattan is polluted. The East River, for example, is so polluted that people assume that falling in would require a tetanus shot. However, the river is the cleanest it has been in a century, and swimming in it is no longer a "wild idea".
The waterfront by Manhattan became polluted due to industrial use, sewer outflows, and stormwater runoff. For example, the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn is one of the most polluted bodies of water in the United States due to its history as a hub for maritime and commercial shipping activity.
To reduce pollution at the Manhattan waterfront, the city has invested $45 billion over the last four decades to improve water quality. This has included upgrading sewage treatment facilities and adding green infrastructure to reduce runoff. In addition, the state of New York is considering changing the standards for waterway cleanliness to comply with the federal Clean Water Act.
Pollution at the Manhattan waterfront impacts the surrounding communities by increasing their risk of exposure to contaminants. This is especially true for communities of color, who have historically been driven to live in close proximity to polluted water bodies due to systemic housing discrimination. In addition, the pollution at the Manhattan waterfront contributes to the city's vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, such as sea-level rise and major storms.
