MAPPING OUTFALLS IN RIVER: AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARD A HEALTHIER RIVER CAPSTONE FALL 2018 SAM HOPE Contents

Common Abbreviations...... 2 Client: BxRA...... 20 Background...... 21 Abstract...... 4 IMWP...... 23

Sustainability...... 6 Mapping Outfalls...... 25 Water DROP...... 26 Clean Water Act...... 9 Case Studies...... 28 Background...... 10 Capstone Contribution...... 30 NPDES/SPDES...... 11 Methodology...... 32 MS4s/SWMP...... 12 Scope...... 34 Impaired Waters list 303(d)...... 13 Surveying...... 35 Westchester County...... 15 Current Legal Action...... 16 Applicability/Future Steps...... 38 Short Term...... 39 Bronx River...... 17 Long Term...... 40 Physical Attributes...... 18 History...... 19 References...... 42 Common Abbreviations BxRA – Bronx River Alliance CSO – Combined Sewer Overflow CWA – Clean Water Act DEC – Department of Environmental Conservation DEP – Department of Environmental Protection DROP – Detecting River Outfalls and Pollutants EPA – Environmental Protection Agency FIB – Fecal Indicator Bacteria IPCC – Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IMWP – Intermunicipal Watershed Management Plan LTCP – Long Term Control Plan MCM – Minimum Control Measures MS4 – Separate System NPDES – National Pollution Discharge Elimination System POTW – Publicly Owned Treatment Works SPDES – State Pollution Discharge Elimination System SWMP – Stormwater Management Plan TMDL – Total Maximum Daily Load WWTP – Waste Water Treatment Plant WWFP – Waterbody/Watershed Facility Plan

2 Acknowledgments

In the preperation for this captone I would like to extend sincere thanks to the following individuals.

Michelle Luebke the Director of the Ecology Team at the Bronx River Alliance. I hope this capsone will be valuable to the contiuned work of the Bronx River Alliance to improve the river.

Leonel Ponce, Ira Stern, and Jaime Stein for their guidence in this project and their dedication to education in sustainability.

My classmates for their support and input through the semester and SES program.

3 Abstract

The Federal Control Act including road pollution, animal feces, was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1948 trash, and illicit discharges, is dumped to address pollution of interstate waters. directly into waterways the SPDES permit Although the original legislation was requires municipalities to develop and considered weak it laid the ground work maintain a program that abates the amount for stronger amendments including ones in of stormwater that enters their MS4 systems 1972 that gave the Act its most successful and monitor that only stormwater is being pollution control measures and became discharged. However, some municipalities commonly known as the Clean Water Act. have not kept up with this requirement, for The Clean Water Act (CWA) achieves its instance, Mount Vernon which is currently goal of abating pollution in waters through being sued by the EPA and the Southern two measures: providing federal funds to District of Attorney’s Office for construct waste water treatment plants allowing pollution to find its way into the for water to be processed before it is Bronx River through their stormwater pipes. discharged and using regulatory measures to prevent pollution from being dumped at The Bronx River has a history of being its source. To abate point source pollution subject to pollution from the urban area the CWA made it illegal for any pollution to that surrounds it, but it was not always this be discharged from a point source without way. Until the mid 1800s the Bronx River retaining a permit to do so through the EPAs watershed was heavily forested leaving the National Pollution Discharge Elimination water pristine enough to be considered System (NPDES). This pollution permit as a source of drinking water for the city system has been allocated to the state for at one point. The completion of the New 46 states; in New York this program is the York Central Railroad, that runs along the State Pollution Discharge Elimination System path of the river, in the 1840s sparked very (SPDES). A SPDES permit is needed in New intense industrial development along the York for any discharge into surface or ground river. This new industrial corridor and the waters. urban development that surrounded it began to use the Bronx River as a dump site, Municipalities need to apply for SPDES effectively turning the once healthy water permits in order to operate separate way into an open sewer. The river effectively stormwater systems (MS4s) and for remained this way until the 1970s when combined sewer overflow systems. MS4 there was a wave of interest and activism in systems are separate sewer systems that cleaning up the river. Different community handle sanitary sewer and storm sewer lines groups joined forces to clean up the river. separately. The stormwater in MS4 systems Over the following decades these efforts flows directly to waterways without going culminated to the creation of the Bronx River to wastewater treatment plants. Because Alliance (BxRA) in 2001, which is a non- everything that enters the stormwater, profit organization that works to serve as a

4 coordinated voice for the river and restore it respective MS4 systems the information to a healthy productive area. of outfall locations and data about them is collected and maintained in different ways The Bronx River Alliance has conducted making much of the information inaccurate. many successful projects and programs The locations of the outfalls is important that have improved the river’s ecology and because identifying outfalls that are increased the enjoyment of the river for the suspicious of contributing pollution is the first surrounding areas. They are now working step in conducting an investigation of illicit to further this progress by completing the connections. For my project I am working Bronx River Greenway along the entirety with the BxRA to survey the Westchester of the river, work to remove invasive County portion of the Bronx River and map all plant species so native ones can make a of the outfalls so there will be one accurate resurgence, and eliminate pollution in the map that can be checked against the river to increase the uses of the river and information provided by the municipalities. downstream communities. Currently there Given this information the BxRA and other is a problem with contamination concerned organizations can begin an in the river that make it unsafe for primary investigation of the MS4 systems to find and recreation and harms the ecology of the stop illicit connections that are contaminating waterway. One of the BxRA’s projects to the Bronx River. address this problem is Project Water DROP (Detecting River Outfalls and Pollutants). This From surveying the Westchester County is a water quality monitoring program that portion of the Bronx River I found and tests for, among other things, Enterococcus documented close to 200 outfalls leading which is a fecal bacteria indicator. This is into the river. I collected this data using a a naturally-occurring bacteria but when GPS app called Fulcrum. After I collected present in excess it suggests that the all this information I created a map using waterway is being contaminated from CARTO’s software to display the location untreated sewage. The Bronx River is a long and other fields collected for each outfall. river with elevated levels of Enterococcus Because of the scope of the project I chose throughout, but especially in the Westchester to concentrate on the area of greatest County segment of the river. In Westchester concern and only surveyed the Westchester County all of the municipalities operate on County portion of the river. Eventually the a MS4 system so the presence of sewage outfalls along the entire river will need to be in the river suggests that there are illicit mapped, but through the work I did I will connections of sanitary sewer lines from have also established a methodology for homes or businesses to the stormwater continued surveying of the Bronx portion of system which is in violation of the CWA, the the river and all the tributaries that flow into MS4 permit, and the more local levels of the Bronx River. By having this information regulations. on outfalls updated and in one place with a methodology to complete surveying of Detecting illicit connections is a difficult thing the remaining outfalls that could contribute to accomplish, it usually involves identifying to contamination the BxRA can work and prioritizing problem watersheds and with local governments and agencies to conducting sanitary investigations. Because prevent pollution from entering the river and each of the municipalities that the Bronx improving the ecology and enjoyment of the River flows through is responsible for their river for surrounding communities.

5 SUSTAINABILITY Clean Water

populations to migrate to new areas. This Clean water has been, and always will be forced migration will only increase as water essential to life on our planet. However, scarcity does making it our ever increasing due to a changing climate resources of most precious resource. clean water and access and to them will be challenged. In the 2018 Intergovernmental In New York’s City Plan, OneNYC, there is Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report a section devoted to water management. It is confident that the rise in global is broken down into four sections, protect temperature will lead to a “proportion of drinking water, improve the city’s water the world population exposed to a climate delivery system, stormwater management, change-induced increase in water stress.” and foster a cleaner harbor. These are (IPCC) This water stress is due to over all important because both potable water exploitation of resources and changing and clean waterways are necessary for a global climate that will cause, “increases in sustainable city. Clean waterbodies provide frequency, intensity, and/or amount of heavy ecological services for cities benefiting precipitation in several regions, and an human health and recreation. The two increase in intensity or frequency of droughts initiatives in the OneNYC plan; foster a in some regions.”1 Even in areas that will healthier harbor and improve stormwater receive higher amounts of rainfall it will be management are closely related. In the areas due to storms which also adversely affect of the city that are operated on separate water quality because, “increasing sediment sewer systems the stormwater pipes do and contaminant concentrations after heavy not travel to wastewater treatment plants downpours.” Increased water stress not but directly to waterbodies carrying with only effects clean drinking water but ability it all the pollutants it picks up along the to grow crops. The IPCC is highly confident way. The introduction of oils, chemicals, that there will be, “reductions in yields of pathogens, and sediments to the harbor maize, rice, wheat, and potentially other through stormwater adversely effects its cereal crops.” (IPCC) These are foods essential ecology. Decreasing the ecology reduces to regions all over the world, and without human’s enjoyment of the harbor and the ability to grow food it is currently forcing waterways and can even make coastal areas

7 more susceptible to sea level rise due to ecosystems addressing both human’s and weakened wetland and riparian zones. In animal’s rights to clean water. Both of these order to reduce pollution entering the harbor goals are proposed to be met by 2030. OneNYC is expanding green infrastructure In the Bronx River clean water does not just to trap and store rain water before it reaches address the issue of water quality in the the stormwater sewer system. The NYC DEP river but it also promotes other initiatives of is also required as part of their MS4 permit the BxRA. For instance, their educational to implement a Stormwater Management programs that they conduct with local Program (SWMP) to reduce runoff and trap schools and organizations to teach the pollutants from washing into the New York community about the river. It also allows the Harbor. BxRA to expand their recreational activities like the Paddle the Bronx canoe trips they Water management is also is the focus of two organize. And it benefits their ecological of the United Nation’s seventeen Sustainable restoration projects like the reintroduction Development Goals; goal number 6 Clean of native fish and oysters to the river. The Water and Sanitation, and goal number 17 Bronx River Plan is based around the thought Life Below Water. Among many other things that “an ecologically healthy river system… goal number 6 is to improve water quality by supports economic strength, public health, reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and recreation, and a high quality of life for minimizing release of hazardous chemicals communities in the watershed.” and materials into waters. It also proposes protecting and restoring water related

8 CLEAN WATER ACT Background

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act was The Clean Water Act can be explained by passed in 1948 to address water pollution its use of two main strategies to achieve of “interstate waters” which was defined as pollution abatement; the authorization of all rivers, lakes, and other waters that flow federal financial assistance for municipal across, or form a part of State boundaries.” sewage treatment plant construction, and (1948 Act Sec. 10(e)) Its objective is to regulatory requirements for industrial and “restore and maintain chemical, physical, municipal discharges. Simply put, the and biological integrity of the Nation’s CWA promotes the building of waste water waters.” (1948 Act Sec. 101(a)) This was treatment plants through a grant program the first major law passed by congress so sewage can be processed before its to address problems of water pollution. discharge, and uses regulatory measures Legislators had attempted multiple times to stop pollution from being dumped at over the decades preceding to pass similar its source. To encourage construction of legislation but it was not until major industrial waste water treatment plants the federal and urban growth after WWII that it gained government started providing grants with the enough support to be enacted. The Federal 1956 amendments. These grants were then Water Pollution Control Act stated that States greatly expanded in 1972, but then began have the primary responsibilities and rights to be phased out in the 1989 amendments to water pollution control. Although the by the introduction of a federal loan program process it laid out for pollution prevention instead. (Copeland) was cumbersome this act provided general framework for later legislation. (Barry) The To stop pollution at its source the CWA made 1948 Act was amended several times over it unlawful to discharge any pollutant from the following decades, ten times to date, a point source into navigable waters unless each one providing only “half-measures to a permit was obtained through the National attempt to solve existing problems” until Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. the amendments of 1972. In the 1960s (NPDES) A point source is a source that and 70s “growing public awareness and directly discharges into a waterbody. The concern for water pollution led to sweeping EPA defines point sources as, amendments,” so much so that the 1948 “any discernible, confined and Federal Water Pollution Control Act became discrete conveyance, including but commonly known as the Clean Water Act not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, of 1972. (EPA) The original act follows the tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, framework of many other federal acts where container rolling stock concentrated the federal government sets the standards to animal feeding operation, or vessel be followed and the states are responsible or other floating, craft, from which for implementation and enforcement of these pollutants are or may be discharged.” standards. In 1972 the federal government (CWA Sec. 502) allocated this regulatory role to the EPA.

10 NYPDES/SPDES

The NPDES program was created by the Environmental Conservation Law and 1972 amendment to address pollution regulates discharges into both surface and coming from point sources by regulating groundwaters. (NYSDEC) Under SPDES, them with two controls, technology-based and all other approved state wastewater limits and water quality limits. Under NPDES regulatory programs, the laws must one must obtain a license for a facility to include, at a minimum, those of the national discharge a specified amount of a pollutant legislation. SPDES contains a broader scope into a waterbody. These licenses typically than required by the CWA as it controls come in two types of permits either an point source discharges into surface and individual permit that is tailored to a specific ground waters. (NYCDEC) SPDES issues facility or a general permit that is granted both general permits for a combination of to a group of dischargers that produce point sources, and individual permits to smaller qualities. Under the Clean Water Act larger industrial or municipal discharges. For the permit program can also be allocated individual permits pricing is typically based to the state level, currently 46 states have on volume discharged, usually measured in the authority to regulate permits (the EPA gallons per day. (NYSDEC) A SPDES permit is in control of the remaining four states). In is needed for any discharge into surface or New York this program is called the State groundwaters, whether it be for stormwater Pollution Discharge Elimination System runoff, treated wastewater, or construction (SPDES) created under Article 17 of the activities.

11 MS4s/SWMP Municipalities apply for SPDES permits for to receive a permit under SPDES. The SWMP their Municipal Separate Storm Water System is designed to reduce the discharge of (MS4s). The technical definition for an MS4 pollution into waterways from contaminates by the EPA is as follows, collected by rainwater during storm events to the ‘maximum extent possible.’ Part of the “a conveyance of system of SPDES requirement is the inclusion of these conveyances (including roads, with six Minimum Control Measures (MCM) into drainage systems, municipal streets, their SWMP. catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man–made channels, or storm drains): 1. Public Education and Outreach • Owned or operated by the state, 2. Public Participation and Involvement city, town, borough, country, parish, 3. Illicit Discharge Detection and district, association, or other public Elimination body (created by or pursuant 4. Construction Site Runoff Control to State law)…including special 5. Post Construction Runoff Control districts under State law such as a 6. Pollution Prevention/Good sewer district, flood control district Housekeeping or drainage district, or similar entity, or an Indian tribe or an These requirements on the MS4 permits authorized Indian tribal organization, are part of SPDES intent to prevent to the or designated and approved ‘maximum extent possible’ the introduction of management agency under section pollutants to the separate stormwater system 208 of the Clean Water Act that by containment of pollutants and reduction discharges into waters of the United of stormwater reaching the MS4 system. States. Because the MS4/separate stormwater • Designed or used for collecting or system flows directly to waterbodies, conveying stormwater; stormwater is not sent to a treatment plant • Which is not a combined sewer; and like wastewater so all contaminates washed • Which is not part of a Publicly Owned away by rainwater wash directly into Treatment Works (POTW) as defined waterbodies. at 40 CFR 122.2”

This means that an MS4 system includes basically any infrastructure that makes up part of a municipalities stormwater system. In order for municipalities to discharge from their MS4 system into waterbodies they must receive a SPDES permit for any connections to the system and for any non-stormwater discharges (Westchester County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 823). Municipalities must also develop and implement a

Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) SOURCE” EPA 12 Impaired Waters List 303(d)

Another regulatory tool provided by CWA into three different segments; Lower, Middle, is under section 303(d) or better known as and Upper. The Lower portion of the River the Impaired Waters List. The EPA requires is defined on the 303(d) list as the section this list is made by States every two years that begins at meeting of the East and Bronx of waters that are too polluted to meet the Rivers and extends to the southernmost dam water quality standards set by states. The at E. Tremont Ave. which is the boundary EPA’s guidelines on these standards are between fresh and salt water. This reach left to the states but federal regulations say of the river is impaired due to pathogens, states must evaluate ‘all existing and readily priority organics (PCBs) and nitrogen, and available information” (40 C.F.R. §130.7(b) this is attributed to urban storm water runoff, (5)) The EPA’s regulations also contain a CSOs, and suspected sanitary discharge. non-exclusive list of information on standards This segment of the river has been on the that must be considered (EPA) This list must 303(d) list since 1998. be submitted to the EPA and include not only currently impaired waters but also ones that The Middle of the river and its tributaries may soon become impaired. If waterbodies represent the freshwater section within the are on this list, State regulatory agencies Bronx and stretch from E. Tremont Ave. to are required to prioritize these waters and the Bronx–Westchester border. This segment develop methods to reduce contamination in of river is impaired due to pathogens, them to acceptable levels. The waterbodies pollutants, and low dissolved oxygen. These can be prioritized either by ranking the impairments are caused by non-permitted highest contaminated first or ranking the sanitary discharges and urban stormwater ones where quickest improvements can be runoff. The Lower and Middle parts of the made first. Part of the required material for Bronx River are part of a special exception a clean-up methodology is establishing a for the requirement of developing a TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL); this is because in 2005 NYSDEC issuing New York the maximum amount of pollution that can City to address the over 400 Combined enter a waterbody so that the waterbody Sewer Overflows (CSOs) which led to the can still meet water quality standards (CWA creation of Waterbody/Watershed Facility Section 303 (d)(1)(C)). These TMDLs are Plans (WWFP) and Long Term Control Plans taken into account when SPDES permits (LTCPs) to bring CSO-impacted waters into are granted to non-stormwater discharges compliance with water quality standards. like wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The Bronx River is one of the Waterbodies The permit applicant must ensure that the that a LTCP was developed for. The discharges into an impaired waterbody are Development of a TMDL may be delayed in not contributing to the pollution of the TMDL. this circumstance because of the pending effect of the LTCP. As of now no TMDL has The entirety of the Bronx River and many of been calculated, although, as part of the its tributaries are on the New York State’s LTCP and WWFP the waste water treatment 303(d) list. NYCDEC, who assembles the list plant at Hunts Point located at the mouth of in New York State, separates the Bronx River the Bronx River must install nitrogen control 13 technologies to reduce nitrogen loads in number of SPDES permits that discharge discharges. into the water. The WWFP and the LTCP for the southern part of the Bronx River do not The Upper part of the Bronx River and its apply to the Upper part of the river, therefor tributaries are the freshwater section through at TMDL must be developed for the part Westchester County and also are on the of the river that flows through Westchester State’s Impaired Waters List for pathogens, County. However, because the Middle and other pollutants, aesthetics, and low Lower segments of the river are affected by Dissolved Oxygen (D.O.). These pollutants Upper part of the river it is worth monitoring are caused by urban stormwater runoff, and because their relation may help inform water other non-permitted sanitary discharges. A quality restoration efforts. The Upper and suspected cause of some of these pollutants Middle parts of the river have been on the is the population of geese in the Kensico 303(d) list since 2002 (NYCDEC 303(d) Reservoir. This stretch of river also had a Bronx River/ Watershed). Westchester County

To receive SPDES permits for discharges use of the MS4 system. The entire chapter is from MS4s and other systems Westchester focused on reducing pollutants entering the County has developed manuals and MS4 system whether direct or indirect. Much regulations for their municipalities to follow. of the legislation is geared toward preventing These regulations are especially stringent illicit connections and activities to the system because many of the waterways in and because it is not designed to accept or surrounding the highly urban area are on discharge non-stormwater waste. This Code the State’s 303(d) list so they must be extra of Ordinances defines an illicit connection as careful to abate pollution. The County’s “any connection to the County’s MS4 unless Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) it has been approved by the Commissioner Manual has two main goals: of Public Works” (Westchester County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 823). There is 1. Prevention of deterioration of surface also requirements to reduce the amount of water quality and damage to streams stormwater entering the stormwater system and riparian areas. because the less of it in the system the less 2. Restoration or repair of already pollution it can carry with it. To reduce the impacted stream systems. amount of stormwater municipalities need to implement Stormwater Management Not only pollution prevention but also the Practices (SMP) which are methods for repair of impaired waters. Under Chapter controlling stormwater runoff or reducing its 823 in the Westchester County Code of impacts (SWP Manual). Ordinances the focus is on the restrictions of

15 Current Legal Action In June of this year the Southern District failed to comply with these permit obligations of New York Attorney’s Office and the EPA and as a result allowed raw sewage to flow brought a lawsuit against Mount Vernon into its storm sewer system and then be for the illegal dumping they are doing in discharged into the Bronx River. Since 2012 the river. “The lawsuit alleges that Mount the EPA has issued 2 administrative orders Vernon has long failed to comply with Clean for Mount Vernon to address this problem Water Act storm sewer permit requirements but they have taken no action. This lawsuit designed to prevent raw sewage and other is seeking injunctive relief and a civil penalty illicit pollutants from flowing from the City’s against the Town of Mount Vernon. However, storm sewer system to the Hutchinson and in a press release on June 28, 2018 the EPA Bronx Rivers” (Department of Justice). Town regional director has said that the “EPA and of Mount Vernon is given a permit from New York State will continue to work together the SPDES program which follows certain with the city to ensure that Mount Vernon standards from NPDES as established in understands how to fix the problems with its the CWA. Part of these permit obligations is storm sewer system.” (justice department) for a municipality to develop a program for They are also supporting the city’s efforts to identifying and eliminating any sewage that get funding to complete the necessary work, is entering their stormwater system because signifying their commitment to helping Mount these waters do not get treated, they are Vernon identify and prevent pollution of the piped directly to the river. This lawsuit river and harm to downstream communities. alleges that since 2012 Mount Vernon has THE BRONX RIVER Physical Attributes The Bronx River is an impressive waterbody watershed spans into and over that stretches 24 miles from the Kensico the jurisdiction of 13 municipalities in New Reservoir down to the East River in New York. (BX River Plan) The Bronx River is (USDA). Before the Kensico Dam York City’s only freshwater river with a small was built, small tributaries in what is now brackish water section where it empties the formed the Bronx into the East River. Brackish water exists River’s head waters (USDA). Construction in the river from the southernmost dam at of the Kensico Dam was completed in 1915 East Tremont Ave. in the Bronx, to the East creating the now beginning of the Bronx River with the final 2.5 miles being a tidally River, the dam holds back 2,145 acres of influences estuary. (BX River Plan) The water supplied by the Catskill and Delaware river flows southward with ever increasing aqueducts. (NYC DEC) The Bronx River has urbanization from Valhalla until it convenes a drainage area of 56 square miles. This with the East River in New York City.

Kensico Reservoir

Valhalla

White Plains

Tuckahoe

Mt Vernon New York City

The Bronx

182nd St. Dam Site Map

Bronx River Bronx River Watershed New York City Bronx/Westchester Border

0 1 2 4 Miles ¯ 18 History SOURCE: WESTCHESTER ARCHIVES PBP-901, ALBUM 14 The Bronx River attracted European traders degraded the ecology of the river reducing in the early 1600s as hunting grounds for the the recreational use and environmental beavers that lived along the river. In 1639 a services of it.” (BX River Plan) Around the man named bought 500 acres turn of the twentieth century there began to around the river from the Mohegan Native be growing concern over the Bronx River Americans that lived along the river. He built and there began to be restoration efforts a mill and used the river’s waters to power its to reverse the damage done. Ironically, at production, soon after that more mills were the time of its construction the Bronx River constructed along the river. By the 1700s the Parkway was actually seen as a conservation Bronx River had several mills along it but the measure. It did preserve large tracts of land surrounding area was still mostly forested, surrounding the river but it also included this lack of development and pollution left straightening the river, reinforcing the banks, the water pure enough to be considered and filling the floodplain. (USDA) a drinking water source for New York City in the 1820s and 1830s. However, with the The 1970s saw the beginning of community completion of the New York Central Railroad activism to clean up the river. In 1974 in the 1840s the Bronx River Valley’s fate community activists formed Bronx River as an industrial corridor was sealed. “The Restoration and began a project to clean-up surrounding valley was heavily forested, and and restore New York City’s only freshwater the water was pure enough to drink. As the river. In 1997 restoration efforts took a big railroad arrived in the area, more industry step forward when the Partnership for Parks followed. The once pristine river that served brought together 60 community organizations as a source of food and power was¬–by the that were committed to the improvement of nineteenth century¬–an open sewer.” (Bidell) the river. And in 2001 the restoration effort’s “Over the years the natural landscape of biggest success happened when the Bronx the river has been altered by dams and it River Alliance was formed as a permanent straightened to fit urban life this along with 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to river changing the forest to urban land uses has clean up.

19 THE BRONX RIVER ALLIANCE Background The Bronx River Alliance is a non-profit one continuous path along the river. organization that works closely with the New Competition of this project will make York City Parks Department who gives them the river accessible and provide in-kind support such as office space and open space to neighborhoods that assistance with clean-up projects. The goal are currently underserved increasing of the Bronx River Alliance is “To serve as the recreational enjoyment of the river. coordinated voice of the river and works in harmonious partnership to protect, improve, 2. The Education Program helps and restore the Bronx River corridor so that schools and community organizations it can be a healthy ecological, recreational, use the river as a way to engage educational and economic resource for the residents in educational activities. communities through which the river flows.” The Educational Program works with (BX River Alliance) a lot of schools that allow children to learn by getting out on the river and The Bronx River Alliance is governed by conducting things like water quality a diverse board that represents the many sampling. They assist with canoe trips communities that the river flows through. (BX and walking tours along the river that River Alliance) The board serves to guide the serve as engaging experiences to get Bronx River Alliance and all of its projects the community involved in protecting to their common goal or river restoration. and improving the river corridor. This group is made up of professionals from many backgrounds such as current or 3. The Outreach Program works to former educators, community organizations, get more community support and or government. These members are almost involvement in the Bronx River. They always people from the Bronx, usually local lead a large volunteer program that leaders that are respected by the community hosts special events and engages and can get them involved in projects on the community organizations by offering river. opportunities to get involved along the river. The Bronx River Alliance works in four different fields to improve the river, each of 4. The Ecology Program leads river which is led by a team. clean-up and restoration projects. They conduct activities like invasive species removal, native species restorations, 1. The Greenway Program guides trash cleanup events, and water the planning and implementation of quality sampling. They have a full-time the Bronx River Greenway. Currently conservation crew that conducts field the greenway is a 19-mile bike and work on the river as well as regulatory pedestrian path that runs along the agencies that work through policy and river. The goal of the Greenway planning. Team is to complete the remaining 4 miles of greenway connecting the Kensico Dam to the East River in 21 22 Bronx River IMWP In 2010 the Bronx River Intermunicipal native ones do so keeping invasive species Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) was at bay requires a great deal of work from released by the Center for Watershed participating agencies. The IWMP identifies Protection, The Bronx River Alliance, NYC six causes of degradation to the river. Department of Parks and Recreation, and Westchester County Planning Department 1. Disturbed Hydrology: creates more among many other contributing partners. runoff which results in diminished This plan was issued to affirm a shared infiltration to groundwater, increased version of watershed management erosion, sedimentation, and habitat by creating a vision and goals to be disturbance. accomplished for the river. “The Bronx River, which consistently appears in the NYSDEC 2. Poor Water Quality: sewage and list of impaired waterbodies…receives high untreated stormwater that carry nutrient and sediment loads from untreated contaminated to the river have led to stormwater runoff, flashy flood flows, and water quality that does not meet health leaks from an aging infrastructure.” (IWMP) standards making the water unsuitable Dissolved oxygen and bacteria levels do for primary contact recreation. not meet standards set by NYSDEC. Over the years the river has been dammed for 3. Aging Infrastructure: result in sanitary industry and the creation of reservoirs and sewer leaks and combined sewer lakes, and the natural riparian zone has overflows. Different jurisdictional been replaced with hard infrastructure to authority makes a coordinated make way for development. The increase detection project difficult. of impervious surfaces around the river causes a high amount of piping untreated 4. Invasive Vegetation: limits ecological stormwater runoff into the river contributing to diversity and services. Altering of pollution. “Aging infrastructure, illicit sanitary- native species leads to reduces shade to-storm connections, and inappropriate which raises the water temperature. land uses also contribute to sanitary leaks and combined sewer overflows throughout 5. Degraded Habitat: diminishes the the watershed.” (IWMP) Although the Bronx diversity of native flora and fauna River has a long history of pollution, and still allowing for only pollution tolerant struggles with lingering sources of pollution, species to flourish under these with the help of agencies like the Bronx River conditions. Alliance, it still supports flora and fauna in the river. These animals include several 6. Dams: impede passage of diadromous types of fish, insects, water fowl, small fish, disturb natural sediment flow. mammals, and a diverse range of vegetation. However, many of these vegetative species are invasive which harms the ecosystem by The Bronx River IWMP lays out ten strategies consuming resources that would be used to address these six issues and reach their by native species. Invasive species do not goal of “an ecologically healthy river system provide the environmental services that protected by water-sensitive practices and 23 policies on the watershed, supports diverse native aquatic and riparian communities, 8. Facilitate community education and and helps support economic strength, public involvement in all matters affecting the health, recreation and a high quality of life for health of the watershed. the communities in the Bronx River and watersheds.” 9. Coordinate monitoring and project tracking to better assess the delivery, 1. Facilitate coordination between implementation, and effectiveness of federal, state, and local agencies, management practices. community groups, and others involved in Bronx River watershed 10. Communicate regularly with activities to maximize effective partners and the broader community implementation. on implementation progress, plan updates, and watershed conditions. 2. Work with local, state and federal agencies to update and enforce Water quality is one of the most important environmental regulations and policies issues for the Bronx River, while illegal dumping and pollution from point sources 3. Reduce discharges of raw sewage have been a historic problem in the river from an aging sanitary sewer system, these activities have mostly been stopped. illicit connections, and combined The main sources of contamination now sewer overflows. are coming from stormwater runoff and illicit connections of sanitary sewer lines 4. Invest in controlling stormwater at its to the stormwater system. These sources source to reduce runoff volume and are much harder to control than point provide water quality treatment prior sources, illicit connections are usually to discharge into the River or sewer made by accident when the sewer pipe system. from a home or business is connected to the stormwater drain by mistake. And many 5. Implement large- and small-scale of these connections have been made so stream, riparian, and wetland long ago and ownership of buildings has restoration projects changed so current owners have no idea that this could be a problem with their home or 6. Restore riparian buffers and business. This is also hard to detect because upland pervious areas through that would involve a potentially costly land acquisition, invasive plant investigation of the stormwater sewer system. management, soil protection and This is made even more difficult because enhancement, and planting of native the many municipalities that the river flows trees. through are each responsible for their own rain water systems which they keep track of 7. Promote pollution prevention at and update differently. stormwater hotspots for municipal operations and in targeted residential areas and businesses that have a high potential for contaminating stormwater runoff.

24 MAPPING BRONX RIVER OUTFALLS Project Water DROP

Pollution from raw sewage discharge and non-submersive activities like boating and controlling stormwater runoff are some of wading. the biggest concerns to the Bronx River right now, so much so that three out of the This monitoring is done to track levels ten strategies outlined in the Bronx River contamination in different parts of the river Plan directly address this contamination. and how these levels are affected by rain One of the efforts implemented by the Bronx events. Because the Bronx River is a long River Alliance that is focused on pollution is waterbody that flows through many different their Project Water DROP (Detecting River jurisdictions there are different stormwater Outfalls and Pollutants) which is a water systems in different areas. The biggest quality monitoring program. In this four-year- difference in sewer systems in the watershed old project volunteers work with the Ecology is between the Bronx in New York City and Program to collect samples at 15 designated the infrastructure in Westchester County. In sites every other week for the summer the city boundary the infrastructure is mostly months, May through October. The sample made up of combined sewer overflows sites are located along the entirety of the (CSOs). In a CSO system sewage and Bronx River and notes on weather conditions stormwater travel through the same pipes, are taken with samples to compare the when a rain event large enough happens it results to rain events. Samples are kept cool will overwhelm the system and dump both so higher temperatures do not affect bacteria sewage and stormwater through outfalls levels while they are transported to Sarah into waterbodies around the city. This Lawrence College Center for the Urban River leads to excess contamination in the City’s at Beczak (CURB) where their lab tests for surrounding waters during certain storm Enterococcus. events. The amount it takes to overwhelm the system varies depending on the location Enterococcus is a Fecal Indicator Bacteria in the city but in some places it takes less (FIB) found in the gastrointestinal tract of than an inch of rain. The other stormwater animals. Enterococcus is not itself harmful system found on the Bronx River is Municipal but indicates the presence of oth Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) in this system er harmful bacteria and viruses. (EPA sanitary sewer lines and stormwater pipes RWQC) There are other FIBs that can be are separate and never mixed. Sanitary used like E. coli, but Enterococcus works for sewer lines are piped to a Waste Water the Bronx River because it can be measured Treatment Plant where it is processed in both fresh and saltwater and is cheap to before it is discharged into waterbodies, and test for. Enterococcus is measured in colony stormwater drains and pipes flow directly to forming units (cfl) the EPA has set standards waters with no treatment. for acceptable levels in recreational waters, they are 104-501cfl/100ml in marine water One would expect the results of the water and 61-151cfl/100ml in . Current quality monitoring to indicate higher levels levels in the Bronx river prohibit primary of FIB in the city portion of the river where contact which is swimming, but does the CSOs dump sewage into the water allow for secondary contact which are when a rain event happens. However, the

26 Westchester County portion of the river, higher levels to human activity, especially which operates on MS4s, consistently has illicit connections to the stormwater system higher levels of contamination than the and faulty infrastructure. The higher levels Bronx. There are many factors that can lead of bacteria are directly related to rain events to these high levels of contamination that signifying more water in the stormwater might be to blame. First off Enterococcus system moving contamination into the river. is naturally occurring in forested areas If only waterfowl were responsible for these with wildlife and Westchester, even though Enterococcus levels rain events would not urbanized, has much more green space alter the bacteria levels or show dilution. The and wildlife than the portions of the city that Bronx River Alliance also test for chlorine the river flows through. Westchester County which indicates the presence of potable also has a large population of geese and water, which should not be discharged ducks that call the river home, which have from a storm drain. These two tests for FIB been known to influence high Enterococcus and chlorine show that these high levels levels. However, the Bronx River Alliance of Enterococcus are coming from sewage among other agencies attribute these the contamination and not wildlife.

Kensico Reservoir

jk Valhalla kj kj

kj White Plains

kj

kj

kj

Tuckahoe kj kj Mt Vernon kj

kj The Bronxkj kj WQMS kj Bronx/Westchester Border kj kj Water Quality Monitoring Stations kj kj 182nd St. Dam kj Bronx River kj Bromx River Watershed kj kj kj New York City

0 1 2 4 Miles ¯

27 Case Study Lake George, New York Lake George is the shared name of a lake is used to identify connection failures in the and its surrounding town in upstate New sanitary system. York. Like the Bronx River, Lake George was experiencing high levels of raw From the investigation the cameras found sewage contamination that was attributed a breach in the stormwater system caused to the urban environment around the lake. by this instillation of a natural gas line where This pollution problem was particularly contamination could have been finding its troubling because this lake is a popular way into the system. The smoke testing spot for recreational use. Primary contact, identified several faulty connections from such as swimming, poses the highest risk private residences. The catch basins near for health effects from waters effected by the discharge area in the lake was found fecal contamination. Because of these high to have large amounts of debris caught it levels of contamination the NYS DEC, who in which is a perfect breeding ground for owns and operates the beach, along with bacteria and possibly a cause of the high NYS DOH and the Village of Lake George levels of bacteria found in the sampling. began an sanitary investigation in 2016 and The agencies also determined through their spanned into 2017. investigation that the infrastructure of the sewer systems was aging and posed risk These organizations started their to adding to the contamination in the lake. investigation with a water quality monitoring The break in the natural gas line and the program that sampled at various sites along faulty connections were repaired, and the a popular swim area and the watersheds catch basins cleaned and a maintenance that fed into them. This water quality plan put in place to keep large amounts of monitoring was done every day for the swim debris from accumulating. The town was season and even led to a few instances also awarded grants, including one from the of beach closures when bacteria levels Clean Water Infrastructure Act, that would exceeded the NYS DOH standards. Through cover the costs of repairing flaws in the field surveying and specific sampling these sewage collection system. Lake George also agencies were able to identify “hotspots” developed a plan to continue to work with where they would follow up with an NYC DEC to identify where infrastructure infrastructure inspection. In this next step repair is needed and continue water quality of the investigation the town and agencies monitoring through the 2018 swim season. used cameras to take a detailed look at the stormwater pipes for areas that had been This case study is demonstrated how to breached or were in need of repair. They successfully conduct a sanitary investigation also conducted dye and smoke testing, dye of a stormwater system that was subject testing is used to see if wastewater from to fecal contamination. By learning about private or public buildings is flowing into process of a sanitary investigation it helped the stormwater system and smoke testing me shape my methods to be more useful in the next steps of cleaning up the river.

28 Case Study

Greenville, South Carolina

Greenville is a county in upstate South Carolina and is in a similar situation to Source:Greenville IDDEP Westchester County where the municipalities start, the team did this by walking the within the county either own or are co- streams in the watershed and inspecting permittees with the county for their the infrastructure to make sure it has been stormwater systems. Greenville is home to maintained and operated properly. They six MS4 municipalities, four of operate the look for things like; are the manholes bolted sewer system in consortium with the county. shut, is there evidence of overflow from the Also similar to that of Westchester County, sanitary sewage system that drained into Greenville’s permit requirement includes the creek, and take water quality sampled an Illicit Discharge Detection Elimination up and downstream of sanitary sewer line program. Because they were suspicious crossings to see if they are effecting the of contamination Greenville county wanted water. During the field survey they are also to do a targeted watershed illicit discharge looking for dry-weather discharges from detection and elimination investigation to stormwater lines which might indicate an ensure that no excess bacteria or nutrients illicit discharge, these discharges are also was entering the stormwater system form sampled. From their GIS work and stream faulty infrastructure. surveys they were able to find and fix numerous sewer line leaks, overflows, illicit They began the investigation by dividing the connections, and debris removal. The county area to survey into manageable watershed plans on continuing this illicit discharge study areas. The County’s focus was on the detection and elimination program every year Reedy River watershed because of a nutrient into the future with the hopes of including a TMDL as part of the EPA’s 303 (d) list. Once camera investigation in the near future. the sub-watershed were developed all available GIS data was gathered including This case study provided me with a good information about streams, roads, buildings, example of how to do a field survey and sewer lines, manholes, and outfall data. what to look for. Reading this before I did my Because the county does not own the sewer field days allowed me to plan them better infrastructure this data had to be collected and develop a useful survey to generate from the sub districts, similar to the one information to assist in a future investigation of the causes in the gaps of information of infrastructure. It also showed the about sewage infrastructure in Westchester difficulties of not having one reliable map of County. After the GIS information is gathered the sewage infrastructure and how field work and complied the field surveying can then can help to overcome that.

29 My Capstone Contribution

With the evidence pointing to the source of will help to fill in this gap of information about contamination as sewage finding its way the sewage infrastructure allowing the Bronx into the river from faulty infrastructure and River Alliance and other organizations to illicit connections and legal pressure to conduct necessary investigations. stop the dumping in the river the next step is to find the sources of pollution. This is For my project I have been working with usually done by prioritizing sub–watersheds the Bronx River Alliance to map all of the or areas where the water quality samples outfalls in the Westchester County stretch are showing the highest levels of the two of the Bronx River, or the Bronx River Upper indicators of contamination. From there the as it is known in the NYSDEC 303(d) list. organizations conducting this investigation To do this I have walked the entirety of this would then identify what they suspect are part of the river, from the Bronx/Westchester the problem outfalls that are contributing border to the beginning of the river at the to pollution and work up the system to find Kensico Dam. All along the way I have where illegal connections are made, or the been collecting GPS coordinates and some infrastructure has failed letting contamination characteristics of each outfall by filling out a is find its way in. So far, with the help of the questionnaire I have designed for each one. volunteers, the Bronx River Alliance has a By creating data and locations about each water quality monitoring program that can of the outfalls the Bronx River Alliance will be be used to prioritize areas to start their able to compare what I have documented investigation. However, there is no reliable with what the municipalities have recorded to source that has a map and database of the ground truth the accuracy of their maps. The outfalls in the river. This is because each of data I collected will bridge the gap between the municipalities through which the Bronx where the current conditions of the river River flows is responsible for mapping their and where the Bronx River wants it to be as respective sewer networks, but many of defined by its goals in the Bronx River Plan. them have not yet done it and the information An accurate map of the outfalls will assist is not readily available. This absence of in several of the strategies laid out in the information about the sewer systems and plan specifically the 3, 7, and 9 that have to outfalls is a missing link in the steps to do with prevention of raw sewage pollution, conduct an investigation and prevent this identification of pollution hot spots, and continued stream of pollution into the Bronx implementation of monitoring and project River. The project I have been working on tracking.

30 1 Coordinate between ov and CWA community groups Pollution Abatement 2 Work with agencies to enforce regulations

3 Reduce discharges of raw sewage 1 Financial 2 Regulatory federal assistance reuirements for 4 Invest in controlling stormwater runoff for sewage discharges Bronx River treatment plants IMWP 5 Impliment wetland restoration projects

6 Restore riparian buffers

BxRA 7 Pollution prevention at stormwater hotspots

8 Facilitate community education and involvement reenway Ecology Education Outreach 9 Coordinate monitoring and project tracking Program Program Program Program 10 Communicate regularly with partners and community

Project Water DROP 1 Monitoring Entero Mapping Bronx River Outfalls 2 Data Collection

Happy Healthy River

31 Methodology

Surveying required a lot of field work on the talking to a data analyst from NYCDEP who river marching upstream and searching for works with watershed management I was outfalls. But before I got started exploring the able to create a much more detailed survey river I had to create a GPS survey complete that would give me more useable data. with fields to answer about each outfall. I did this in the website/app Fulcrum which John was able to help me shape my qestions allowed me to plot the coordinate location to generate more effective data. After of each outfall and fill out survey questions looking at my original fields he suggested I about it. This mapping tool is designed on reconfigure my questions so that each would a computer then used through an app on a have an answer every time so there would device such as a smartphone when in the be no blanks in my data. An example is field allowing for an accurate GPS location including a N/A choice in the flow description and easy data collection. When designing instead of leaving it blank if there was no this questionnaire, I referred to one that the flow. He stressed the importance of creating Bronx River Alliance has used in the past questions that are precise yet easy to which noted physical attributes of the outfall comprehend so this survey could be used like size, shape, and material it was made by different data collectors and the results from. This previous questionnaire gave me be consistent. Here are the final survey fields a good basis for my updated one but after that I settled on:

1. Outfall ID: this is a unique identifier 5. Outfall Type: multiple choice of the for each outfall so it can be tracked. design of the outfall. The beginning letters are either L or R a. Closed Pipe for left or right when facing upstream, b. Open Drainage followed by two letters significant of c. Manhole/Catch Basin what type of outfall it was, i.e. CP for d. Other closed pipe. 6. Outfall Material: Multiple choice of 2. Date: that record was taken. what it is made from. a. CMP (Corrugated Metal Pipe) 3. Time: that record was taken. b. RCP (Reinforced Concrete Pipe) c. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) 4. Rain event in past 24 hours: This is a d. Concrete Yes/No question that is important to e. Steel know to judge the significance if any f. Earthen water was being discharged. g. Other

7. Outfall Shape: geometric shape.

32 a. Circular important to know sources of runoff b. Box flowing into outfall and possibility for c. Parabolic illicit connections d. Elliptical a. Industrial e. Other b. Ultra-Urban Residential c. Suburban Residential 8. Outfall Quantity: how many pipes. d. Commercial a. Single e. Open Space b. Double f. Institutional c. Other g. Other

9. Outfall Dimension: measurement of the 12. Submerged outfall opening. a. No b. Sediment Partially 10. Flow Description: Important to c. Water Partially know when paired with the source d. Sediment Fully contributing to the outfall. I.e. e. Water Fully stormwater outfalls are not supposed to be discharging during dry-weather 13. Comments/Notes: space of other conditions, also why noting a recent significant factors. rain event is important. a. N/A 14. Photos of the outfall. b. Trickle c. Moderate d. Substantial

11. Land Use in Drainage Area:

One of the most important fields is if the outfall is dry-weather discharging, this is an indicator of illicit dumping because the vast majority of outfalls surveyed were a part of the stormwater system which should only be transferring water during rain events.

The location of the outfall along with the part of the stormwater system which should information gathered about it from this survey only be transferring water during rain events. and results from water quality sampling will Certain attributes of an outfall are present help the Bronx River Alliance prioritize areas together it can be an indicator of illicit and outfalls. One of the most important fields connections. For instance, outfalls that are is if the outfall is dry-weather discharging, dry-weather discharging with residential or this is an indicator of illicit dumping because commercial land uses are more likely to have the vast majority of outfalls surveyed were a illegal connections than others.

33 Scope

Because of the time frame of this project This seemed to be an accomplishable task I had to define a scope of the amount of and this is the area there the water quality surveying that I would be able to complete. sampling indicated the highest levels of The end goal is to have a map of every sewage pollution. Even though the pollution outfall throughout the entire watershed, is attributed to MS4 stormwater systems unfortunately, this did not fit within the and this style of sewer extends into the timeline of the semester because while the Bronx about half way down until the Bronx Bronx River proper is a 23-mile long stretch Zoo where CSOs populate the remainder there are many miles more of tributaries that of the river, I chose to stop at the Bronx/ feed into the river each with their own set of Westchester border because the MS4s past outfalls. I decided that I would survey only that point are not the ones of main concern. the Westchester County portion of the river.

34 Surveying To conduct my surveying, I simply borrowed of rain in the previous 48 hours. This made a pair of waders from the Bronx River waking in the channel impossible but Alliance and walked the entirety of the river conveniently there is a park that extends in Westchester County documenting the the length of this walk from White Plains outfalls along the way. I found it easier to to Valhalla allowing me to walk along the walk upstream than downstream and after river and survey the outfalls. The following one day of surveying I was able to gauge days of surveying I was able to walk the the pace at which I could walk, which was channel of the river which really allowed me about the distance between two stops on the to do the surveying because many of the Metro North Harlem line. This was convenient remaining sections of the river bank were because the Harlem line runs parallel to the overgrown and not accessible public space. path of the river and was going to be my However, wading through the river did have main mode of transportation. On the first its challenges, the river bed is covered with day I took the Metro North to White Plains rocks, large and small, road debris like where I started walking northward to Valhalla traffic cones and hubcaps, and sometimes where the river begins at the Kensico dam. large pieces of garbage like mattresses and On this particular day the water in the river shopping carts. The depth of the river ranges was higher and murkier than usual because from very wide, shallow stretches to very narrow deep ones. I was constantly having During one of my days I even stumbled upon to monitor how deep I could walk before my an outfall that was discharging a cloudy waders would overflow with water and often pink liquid into the river, I reported it to the had to turn around and try a different path BxRA who called it into the DEC for further around deep holes. There are many pipes investigation. and limbs crossing the river that had to be scrambled over or under and bridges that Another surprising element of the river I cast dark shadows that made putting one observed surveying was how beautiful and foot in front of the other an exercise of faith in ecologically active the river is. Before I oneself. went and visited the river for the first time my expectation from what I had heard I was able to complete the surveying over and read was the Bronx River was a toxic, six days of field work. Between the Bronx/ dangerous waterway so polluted it would Westchester border and the headwaters of not take a specialist to see it. However, the Bronx River I located and collected data what I found was a vibrant waterbody that oon 264 outfalls along the river. The outfalls was called home by many animals. The ranged from pipes diverting stormwater from water had population of large and small an over-pass to the river, to SPDES permitted fish, and freshwater turtles. Living around discharges of large amounts of treated the river were lots of mallards and geese, wastewater. It was surprising how many of small songbirds, and even black squirrels the outfalls were dry-weather-discharging in some areas. There were many vegetative which is an indicator of illicit dumping. Out restoration projects underway, by the BxRA of the 264 outfalls that documented 54 of and other organizations, to repair the riparian them were dry weather dischargin, or 18%. zone. Many of the projects were focused on Outall ry eather icharging

Outall 36 expanding the amount of native vegetation questions. The greenway was supporting lots around the river to perform ecological of outdoor activity and connectivity between services and complement the growth of the bigger parks, but no one dared go near the river animals that depend on them. The river water. The pedestrians that did stop to talk to was also being enjoyed by many people me all were of the opinion that the river was using the greenway. Lots of biker riders, unsafe and they were glad I was working joggers, dog walkers, and other just enjoying with an organization that is dedicated to a stroll along the river, I of course got improving its health. concerned looks from all of them and a few

37 APPLICABILITY/ FUTURE STEPS Short Term

Having an updated map of the outfalls flowing into the Bronx River will help the Part of this data-driven advocacy will be BxRA and other organizations find and stop to use the updated outfall map to serve as sources of pollution entering the river in a way of ground-truthing the current data several ways. The most immediate of which that the municipalities have on their MS4 is their ongoing data-driven advocacy to systems. By overlaying the existing maps raise awareness of contamination in the river. with the updated one that I have created the Advocacy is a huge focus of the BxRA, their BxRA will be able to identify discrepancies mission statement includes “to serve as a between them which can help identify areas coordinated voice for the river…” Much of where point sources of pollution could be their work in advocating for restoring the located. Additional testing and sampling can Bronx River is driven by data, a lot of which be done at these suspicious outfalls as well they collect themselves. Water DROP is a as ones listed in the Consent Orders against project they started to monitor the water specific municipalities to identify sub-basins quality of the river and to use that data that must be investigated. Part of the identity to demonstrate that the river is subject to of the BxRA is to be an organization that contamination. From this project they have works cooperatively with others to benefit found that pollution is a particular problem in the river. They would rather provide a Westchester County and with the work I have municipality with data that suggests they are contributed by mapping all of the outfalls contributing to poor water quality so they they can narrow down the areas it is coming can work together to fix the problem than from even more. By collecting all of this data they would provide the press with the same BxRA can approach organizations tasked data in an attempt to publicly shame the with eliminating pollution from the river and municipality into compliance. offer assistance or even possible solutions to the contamination.

39 Long Term

With the information gathered about the scope of this capstone project I was only location and attributes of each outfall the able to survey the Bronx River in Westchester BxRA can use this data in conjunction County. There are many tributaries that feed with their results from their water quality into the Bronx River that will also need to monitoring projects to identify and prioritize be surveyed to create an accurate outfall areas of concern. If Enterococcus levels are map, many of these tributaries are included consistently high at a particular sample site on the NYS 303(d) list in conjunction with and not the site upstream of it one can infer the Bronx River. The work I have done that there is a problem outfall/s in between mapping the outfalls in the Bronx River the two sites, especially if these are outfalls proper has not only created useful data but with high rates of dry-weather discharging. also established a methodology for future Once particular outfalls or sub-watersheds surveying if the BxRA chooses to continue are identified more specific water quality surveying the tributaries and remainder if sampling can be done in these locations to the river in the Bronx. The continued use of confirm that theses outfalls are ones that are my survey and methodologies is something contributing to pollution in the river. To find that I kept in mind when I was developing it. where these systems are being breached The survey is designed to be simple so other by sources of sewage contamination there people can use it to generate consistent will need to be a sanitary investigation of data without gaps or missing information. the MS4s system to find and fix these illicit With my map I will also create a guide to the connections. A sanitary investigation of a survey explaining abbreviations and each sewer system involves lots of sampling, of the fields as well as methodologies used testing, and surveying of the system to to generate unique identifiers for the outfalls find flaws in the MS4 lines. There are many using the type of outfall and left or right ways to conduct a sanitary investigation while facing upstream. With this guide and some examples that the BxRA can look at to methodology, the outfall map I started can inform their work from case studies like Lake be completed in the future and all pollution George, New York, and Greenville, South finding its way into the Bronx River through Carolina. stormwater drains will be prevented.

Finding and fixing flaws in the stormwater With this complete and updated map of the systems is how the problem of sewage outfalls in the Bronx River the Bronx River contamination in the river will be solved. alliance and other organiations can more To do this an accurate map of the outfalls effectivley work to toward a healthier Bronx leading into the river is necessary to begin River. an investigation. However, because of the

40

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