The Niagara Falls New York Water Board announcing that for the time being changes will be made to how its Sedimentation Basin #5 is de-watered.
The Water Board releasing the information in a response to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation which is investigating the black water incident.
It's been 12 days since a pool of black water appeared in the lower Niagara River causing alarm to tourists, locals, and business operators on both sides of the river.
The NFWB says it will not discharge the contents of Basin #5 directly to the chlorine contact basin as was done during the July 29th incident until further notice.
The full context of the NFNY Water Board release is below:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Niagara Falls Water Board Issues Informational Response to NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Correspondence regarding operational details reflects ongoing cooperation with state and federal agencies regarding black water discharge incident of July 29th Organization confirms that contents of Sedimentation Basin 5 from dewatering activities will not be discharged to the chlorine contact basin until further notice and upon functionality review and extensive evaluation of facts Niagara Falls, NY – The Niagara Falls Water Board today issued a formal informational response to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) regarding various operational details surrounding the July 29th black water discharge incident involving the Lower Niagara River. “In continuing with our extensive examination of all aspects of the July 29th incident, we have compiled various documents, reports and data for the NYS DEC, which chronicle overall wastewater operational readings that weekend,” said Rolfe Porter, NFWB Executive Director. While the official correspondence was confidential to the NYSDEC, the enclosure was provided as part of ongoing efforts to work collaboratively with state and federal agencies in reviewing equipment readings, summary reports and facility water quality monitoring findings in and around the incident date. “Additionally, we have advised the department that if Sedimentation Basin 5 has to be dewatered for any purpose, the NFWB will not discharge the contents of that basin directly to the chlorine contact basin as was done on July 29th, until further notice,” continued Porter. The NFWB will continue to provide periodic public and ratepayer updates on this matter as information becomes available. Updates will be available on the NFWB’s website at www.NFWB.org.