Help Keep Raw Sewage Out of New York City’s Waterways

Almost every time it rains in New York City, raw sewage, pet waste, trash, and polluted runoff flow into waterways where people swim, fish, and boat. In fact, every year more than 20 billion gallons of raw sewage and polluted runoff end up in beloved waterways like the Hudson River, the East River, the Bronx River, Long Island Sound, Jamaica Bay, Flushing Bay, and the Gowanus Canal.

Not only is this gross but it’s also incredibly dangerous, putting those who come into contact with contaminated water at risk of developing intestinal illnesses, rashes, and infections.

Something must be done immediately. Urge Mayor Bill de Blasio, New York City Council members, and city and state environmental officials to keep our waterways clean and safe.

Photo: Riverkeeper

Almost every time it rains in New York City, raw sewage, pet waste, trash, and polluted runoff flow into waterways where people swim, fish, and boat. Urge Mayor Bill de Blasio and other key local elected officials and decision makers to keep our waterways clean and safe.

Your message will be sent to:

Mayor Bill de Blasio
City Council Speaker Corey Johnson
City Councilman Costa Constantinides, Chair of Committee on Environmental Protection
Commissioner Vincent Sapienza, NYC Department of Environmental Protection
Commissioner Basil Seggos, NY State Department of Environmental Conservation

Subject line:

Raw sewage has no place in NYC’s waterways!

(Consider adding your own thoughts — personalized messages are especially effective)

Dear Mayor Bill de Blasio, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, City Councilman Costa Constantinides, Commissioner Vincent Sapienza, and Commissioner Basil Seggos:

I’m appalled to learn that almost every time it rains, raw sewage, trash, pet waste, and polluted runoff flow into New York City waterways where people swim, fish, and boat.

Not only is this unacceptable and gross but it’s also incredibly dangerous, putting those who come into contact with contaminated water at risk of developing intestinal illnesses, rashes, and infections.

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection’s proposed plans to address this massive crisis fall far short of meeting federal health-protection standards by continuing to allow massive amounts of sewage to flow into waters across the city. The plans also don’t take full advantage of solutions like green infrastructure, which improve our neighborhoods and keep our waters clean.  We need a better plan…immediately.

We need a cleanup plan that:

* Dramatically reduces sewage pollution by maximizing the use of green infrastructure and capturing remaining overflows for full treatment
* Doesn’t simply put a band-aid on the problem by dumping chlorine into sewer systems and diverting sewage from one place to another
* Fully meets federal health standards
* Is put into place as soon as possible to protect the public health of communities.

I, along with thousands of other concerned citizens in New York City, am calling on you to step up and ensure that our waterways are safe and clean for all.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

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