Massive raw sewage discharge into Hudson River prompts health advisory in NYC and Westchester County

A health advisory in Westchester County couldn’t have come at a worse time, considering the holiday weekend and the heat wave. 

Westchester County health officials say people should avoid recreational activities along a stretch of the Hudson River until further notice. 

A power equipment failure at the Yonkers Sewage Treatment plant resulted in hundreds of millions of gallons of untreated, raw sewage discharging into the Hudson River. Even when power is restored the advisory will remain in place until testing shows the water quality has returned to acceptable levels. 

“The water’s been smelling very, very terrible,” one person said. 

So from New York City north to Tarrytown, people are advised to avoid any contact with Hudson River water. 

Westchester County officials say the following communities could be impacted: 

• New York City 
• Yonkers 
• Hastings-on-Hudson 
• Dobbs Ferry 
• Irvington 
• Tarrytown 
• Sleepy Hollow 
• Briarcliff Manor 

“If you’re swimming, or you’re in the water, there’s a chance that you could swallow water, you could get contaminated water in your eyes or your nose, or open wounds. A person could experience [gastrointestinal] symptoms if they consume the water. If they have an open wound, the wound could become infected,” Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said. 

Because of the risk from the raw sewage, the county has closed the Philipse Manor Beach Club in Sleepy Hollow. 

“It’s definitely a danger, being in the water at this time. And it couldn’t come at a worse time, this weekend with the worst heat wave we’ve had in quite a while,” said Chris Cawley. 

At JFK Marina in Yonkers, boaters and those hoping to go out on personal watercraft were being turned away from launching. 

The county says the risk may be low, but there is a risk, and advises avoiding all contact with Hudson River water, including swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, boating, fishing – anything involving contact with the Hudson River. 

Some people will decide the lure of the water is too strong to heed the advisory. 

“What I can tell you is there’s a chance it’s not safe, and so it’s just not wort the risk,” Amler said.