Following the September 9th oil spill on the river, there have been significant clean-up efforts to contain and remove all excess dialectric fluid. Of the original 2000-gallon discharge, reports from the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) indicate approximately 10% (~200-500 gals) made it to the river through a storm drain. Con Ed will provide a better estimate in their final report. Additionally, approximately 200 tons of soil were removed from the initial contamination area.
On September 17th Con Ed and their contractors flushed the storm drain, removing any remaining amount of leaked oil as well as historic oil and other contaminants from the soil. The DEC feels confident that all spilled pollutants have been contained and no wildlife was harmed in the process.
If in the future you see evidence of any spills, illegal dumping, or wildlife in danger, call 311; if you witness someone in the process of dumping, please report that information directly to the NYPD. If it is during a normal work day, any reports also should be forwarded to us directly with locations and (preferably) photos.
