EPA and New York Officials Move to Ban Sewage Dump in Long Island Sound

Environmental Protection Agency officials have determined that boatmen in Long Island Sound should adhere to a no-discharge zone for sewage disposal. Motions are underway to ban boatmen from discharging sewage into the water and instead dispose of their sewage at specially designated pump-out stations. Discharges can contain harmful levels of pathogens and chemicals such as formaldehyde, phenols and chlorine, which degrade water quality and impair marine life.

The proposed ban areas encompass approximately 760 sq miles of Long Island Sound and include the open waters, harbors and bays from the Hell Gate Bridge in the west to the Block Island Sound in the east.

Agency officials are taking public comment on proposed approval of the ban until May 11, 2011.

Source: U.S. EPA