New law will inform public about sewage overflows

ALBANY — The New York State Legislature passed the Sewage Pollution Right to Know Act on the final day of session, giving the public the right to know when raw or partially treated sewage is discharged into New York waters.

Governor Cuomo must sign the bill before it becomes law.

Sewage overflows occur throughout the state. They contaminate beaches, bays, rivers, lakes, and streams, and can flood streets and back up into homes or other buildings.

Environmental groups, including Citizens Campaign for the Environment and Hudson Riverkeeper, applauded the law.

“This is an extraordinary story that began unfolding less than a year ago when we released our report on water quality testing in the Hudson,” said Paul Gallay, president of Hudson Riverkeeper. “Since then, 18 groups joined us in banding together to build a coalition to aggressively push forward sewage right to know legislation.”

After the bill becomes law, the public will receive water quality notifications through the press similar to the ozone, pollen and severe weather warnings many people rely on today.

New York is the only state with ocean, estuarine and Great Lakes coastlines. Its waters are a major contributor to local economies.