Clean water advocates expressed serious concerns at a press conference regarding a New York State proposal to exempt the Harlem River from strict clean water standards. This exemption would allow 1.9 billion gallons of sewage and polluted stormwater to pollute the river annually, particularly during rainfall when the outdated sewer system overflows. The proposal seeks to designate the river as a "wet weather limited use" waterbody, reducing the standards for safety concerning recreational activities. Advocates feel the proposal signifies a state failure to address critical infrastructure improvements necessary for clean water.
"To me, this is not a liberal issue or a conservative issue, a Democrat or Republican issue, this is a commonsense issue," said Assembly Member Landon Dais at the press conference, who represents a large swathe of the borough along the river.
"The proposed exemption would allow an estimated 1.9 billion gallons of sewage and polluted stormwater to continue entering the Harlem River each year."
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