Another foul spill in river

For the second time in three weeks, officials probe discharge of smelly, black water

Another discharge of dark, foulsmelling water into the Niagara River has New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) once again probing a waste water treatment plant in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

The large pool of untreated sewage water flowed into the river Tuesday afternoon near the Maid of the Mist dock on the U.S. side, which the Niagara Falls Water Board says was discharge caused by heavy rains.

During a press conference in Niagara Falls, N.Y. Wednesday, DEC executive deputy commissioner Ken Lynch says the department is “fully investigating” the latest discharge, following a much larger incident which occurred July 29.

On that day, in full view of tourists on a busy Saturday, a massive amount of black, pungent wastewater flowed into the river and enveloped the area near the Maid of the Mist dock. After initially saying it was routine maintenance, the Water Board then said it was operator error which let a pump run too long while draining a sedimentation basin. “We want to make sure the public is protected and this great natural resource is protected,” said Lynch during the press conference. “That’s why we’re fully investigating.”

A statement released by Water Board executive director Rolfe Porter said its state permit “takes into account the design limitations of the existing wastewater treatment plant, which has a filtering capacity of 60 million gallons per day.

“The team is currently looking at the actual amount of volume that entered the system on August 15, in order to get a full and accurate calculation. As was discussed with the DEC, our organization continues to look at potential updates and improvements that could enhance our filtering capacity.”

The DEC has given the Water Board a Sept. 1 deadline for a full report on the July 29 incident.

Niagara Falls, Ontario Mayor Jim Diodati says another spill so soon is “extremely concerning,” and both sides of the Niagara River need prompt answers.

“Given all the attention (the first spill) created, we need transparent answers, not political stay-calm-and-carry-on answers,” he said Thursday.

“I’m obviously very disappointed. We’ll be seeking clarification, answers and investigations into what’s going, and why it’s going on.”

He added that Niagara Falls, New York Mayor Paul Dyster “is just as frustrated as we are.”