{"id":2610,"date":"2024-11-18T08:05:34","date_gmt":"2024-11-18T13:05:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bronxname.com\/?p=2610"},"modified":"2024-11-18T08:05:37","modified_gmt":"2024-11-18T13:05:37","slug":"bronx-river-pollution-ongoing-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bronx.name\/en\/eternal-2610-bronx-river-pollution-ongoing-challenges","title":{"rendered":"Bronx River Pollution: Ongoing Challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>It\u2019s common for rivers to share their names with the towns or cities they flow through, and the Bronx River is no exception. Unfortunately, along with its name, this river has also inherited a less-than-clean reputation\u2014both literally and figuratively. Despite numerous programs by volunteer and environmental organizations aimed at cleaning the water and shores, troubling news frequently surfaces: businesses dumping harmful substances into the water, mass fish deaths, or the disappearance of wildlife populations in the area. In this article, we\u2019ll explore why maintaining the Bronx River\u2019s cleanliness remains a challenge, who is actively fighting the pollution, and how they\u2019re doing it. Read more on <a href=\"https:\/\/bronx.name\/\">bronxname<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a07cd257285a\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a07cd257285a\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/bronx.name\/en\/eternal-2610-bronx-river-pollution-ongoing-challenges\/#From_Drinking_Water_Source_to_Environmental_Crisis\" >From Drinking Water Source to Environmental Crisis<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/bronx.name\/en\/eternal-2610-bronx-river-pollution-ongoing-challenges\/#Why_the_Bronx_River_Is_So_Polluted_and_Why_Its_Dangerous_for_the_City\" >Why the Bronx River Is So Polluted and Why It\u2019s Dangerous for the City<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/bronx.name\/en\/eternal-2610-bronx-river-pollution-ongoing-challenges\/#Bronx_River_Alliance_A_Community_of_Committed_Citizens\" >Bronx River Alliance: A Community of Committed Citizens<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/bronx.name\/en\/eternal-2610-bronx-river-pollution-ongoing-challenges\/#Project_WASTE\" >Project WASTE<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/bronx.name\/en\/eternal-2610-bronx-river-pollution-ongoing-challenges\/#Project_Water_DROP\" >Project Water DROP<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"From_Drinking_Water_Source_to_Environmental_Crisis\"><\/span>From Drinking Water Source to Environmental Crisis<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Years ago, the Bronx River\u2019s water was so clean it was safe to use for drinking and cooking. However, like many rivers and lakes in the United States, the rapid development of industry and centralized sewage systems caused significant changes in the river\u2019s chemical composition. The Bronx River has suffered heavily from this shift. Large businesses in Westchester and the Bronx frequently used the river for their needs, often ignoring environmental and sanitary regulations. As a result, by the 20th and 21st centuries, the Bronx River faced catastrophic pollution from combined sewage overflows, microplastics, trash, and other harmful substances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronx.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/50\/2024\/11\/ad_4nxcmsqraf_nhztfyiuiptvi2f6knq-_nsepu0fx1lv6uorx1nh_-ok8agldkvxybscrsjq_chlabz6uun3qcqvsgw-hyqlbm_mernuqngh39vydk-b9mnwvp2znny1phrfw0ssmiv2u71a_61lr2suxirzkkeyipt6a_ehstodifhml5uo_jmc.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, seeing dead fish floating on the river\u2019s surface or lying along its shores is a grim and common reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_the_Bronx_River_Is_So_Polluted_and_Why_Its_Dangerous_for_the_City\"><\/span>Why the Bronx River Is So Polluted and Why It\u2019s Dangerous for the City<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Approximately 455 million gallons of untreated wastewater flow into the Bronx River annually. While environmental laws require municipalities to provide maps of their sewage systems, illegal sewage connections to the city\u2019s main river system still surface from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tracking these illegal systems is complicated because the primary infrastructure is controlled by Westchester, while the municipalities manage their own lines. Without a centralized body overseeing the entire system, many issues go unnoticed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Private businesses, such as large stores and car washes, are another significant problem. These enterprises use large amounts of water and often dump waste on a massive scale. Again, there are no strict regulations or agencies to monitor these practices effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronx.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/50\/2024\/11\/ad_4nxef-ai4m6bd2oslf0icbmrkk6lp7-kr25xxig_nnkerlrmzony1eskf5rsrgavd_tb0t3f7lj9leciky1dcagya2pdjuxij-md7wh2q4-bwidneixbkatqfqpbw6w4qh5mqipqfvm2gfbofjgkjwef61ro_keyipt6a_ehstodifhml5uo_jmc.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Government efforts to address the Bronx River\u2019s pollution exist but fall short of resolving the problem. For instance, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection plans to invest $150 million to divert 170 million gallons of polluted water from the Bronx River to the East River. However:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What happens to the remaining 285 million gallons still flowing into the Bronx River? The problem remains largely unresolved.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This plan merely shifts the issue to the East River, worsening its water quality.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Estimates suggest it would cost over $36 billion to normalize the Bronx River\u2019s water quality. These one-time actions are just a drop in the bucket.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Pathogenic substances, trash, increased acidity, harmful bacteria, and other pollutants severely impact the ecosystem. They disrupt the flora and fauna, contaminate the soil, and could even spark epidemics or disease outbreaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronx.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/50\/2024\/11\/ad_4nxcy4xtebubpi_rpby4ze38kzuy-fi2h6tuy3_jzeggo0j6nxkr-dcqkwtf45rpj1gcs_lratr3zody-he9notgg1ydak3gjxdzv1migytjh6saa_gqleewk8lpih_qegbfj2jg9rubdlmigles3_bw_-n4nkeyipt6a_ehstodifhml5uo_jmc.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Another alarming consequence of the Bronx River\u2019s deterioration is its reduced capacity to absorb storm surges, potentially leading to flooding in nearby areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bronx_River_Alliance_A_Community_of_Committed_Citizens\"><\/span>Bronx River Alliance: A Community of Committed Citizens<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Without the Bronx River Alliance, the Bronx River might have already turned into a lifeless swamp. This environmental volunteer organization tirelessly works to protect and restore the river\u2019s ecosystem. Their goal is to create a healthy, recreational, educational, ecological, and economic resource.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bronx River Alliance collaborates with the New York City Parks Department, regional organizations, charitable foundations, nonprofit groups, and government entities at all levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their primary activities include systematic water and shoreline testing. Volunteer teams conduct a variety of tests to assess:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>pH levels<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Temperature<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dissolved oxygen<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conductivity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Turbidity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fecal pathogens<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nutrients<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Microplastics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronx.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/50\/2024\/11\/ad_4nxetldmept3yx2qw43hm1oxcjiw6gp78kzkz7ao5g9f_sofgfkkjg7nmcl6dkjmcxgumucmfhq10fojdskmwpa8hzd-89w_jxhseyes15fjpsnkufg37eiqjzs0qnxymw80nklalkf5-hur3_3ftdnurjzvxkeyipt6a_ehstodifhml5uo_jmc.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Volunteers are often assigned to specific sections of the river to identify potential sources of harmful discharges. Targeted checks are also conducted near visible pipes leading into the river. These efforts have uncovered several violations, including the illegal use of decommissioned pipes for hazardous waste disposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bronx River Alliance\u2019s environmental program focuses on three main issues tied to the Bronx River\u2019s pollution:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Trash<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fecal pathogens<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Low dissolved oxygen levels<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Project_WASTE\"><\/span>Project WASTE<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The WASTE Project (Waterway And Street Trash Elimination) focuses on removing floating trash and cleaning the riverbanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Special volunteer groups are sent to areas with notable pollution. Common waste includes empty cans, plastic bags, food packaging, metal scraps, and other debris, especially non-biodegradable items that pose long-term risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The river experiences the most pollution during the summer, making this season the busiest for WASTE. Anyone can join this initiative and contribute to cleaning the Bronx River and its shores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronx.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/50\/2024\/11\/ad_4nxckit0w_icckctpchj6kt27knxm8o032r-appzrlloy9swuguvq9qzysgqkqsxbu63xwceefenxcvcnzpewl72amulzqklnkkvpiny-2hvtganfotc3zrplhiaf9moknwpzqvufw49r8azfys_gj2cwm2h8keyipt6a_ehstodifhml5uo_jmc.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>To date, WASTE volunteers have removed over 200,000 pieces of harmful waste from the Bronx River, weighing more than 7,000 kilograms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Project_Water_DROP\"><\/span>Project Water DROP<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Water DROP Project (Detecting River Falls and Pollutants) targets fecal pathogens, particularly Enterococcus bacteria, often found in animal waste and capable of causing diseases in humans exposed to contaminated water. High Enterococcus levels indicate untreated sewage entering the river. According to the Clean Water Act, the safe limit is 60 cells per 1,000 milliliters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronx.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/50\/2024\/11\/ad_4nxc_tn9zkkkp2qhbl-wewkzgufg0mqywsc3b7ke_jjjir_bwlb5bydmjapxkjvsiuf9jllvy75xrhbip-inl477tdysb4nelsal0rwwnq0zh7mxpxwselj8dizpjh0pxbhmgowkz2mxlsppxmnv3l6aenwtvkeyipt6a_ehstodifhml5uo_jmc.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bronx River Alliance has identified 15 monitoring sites along the Bronx River. Volunteers periodically collect water samples for analysis in specialized labs. Results are usually alarming, with numbers often reaching hundreds or even thousands of cells. The highest recorded level, over 24,000 cells per 1,000 milliliters, occurred near Soundview Park, where the Bronx River meets the East River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bronx River Alliance is about more than just tackling trash and bacteria. It\u2019s a community of conscious and compassionate individuals committed to the city\u2019s and its residents\u2019 future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronx.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/50\/2024\/11\/ad_4nxe4bu88voj6qvumbhhytxbqditapocooffx3hsonc0r2tfxinu1j_r5hmi6xtjiwzoizdh9riv2zigd9caow0u5lcfs2sbtd8qs7mnmnhdbywwbimweryuri492ou4zjdelfbrqrtktcf1ku_ttg7rurdykeyipt6a_ehstodifhml5uo_jmc.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The organization regularly hosts events to bring people together for the benefit of the environment\u2014and for fun. Picnics, workshops, bike rides, festivals, and more await you at the Bronx River Alliance. So, join in, care for the environment, and make new friends!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s common for rivers to share their names with the towns or cities they flow through, and the Bronx River is no exception. Unfortunately, along with its name, this river has also inherited a less-than-clean reputation\u2014both literally and figuratively. Despite numerous programs by volunteer and environmental organizations aimed at cleaning the water and shores, troubling [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":420,"featured_media":2462,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[335],"tags":[1250,1116,1248,1239,1111,1247,1238,1243,1241,1240,1246,1244,1245,1249,1242],"motype":[325],"moformat":[22],"moimportance":[30,33],"class_list":{"0":"post-2610","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-innovations","8":"tag-bronx-community-cleanup","9":"tag-bronx-river-alliance","10":"tag-bronx-river-bacteria","11":"tag-bronx-river-cleanup","12":"tag-bronx-river-pollution","13":"tag-bronx-river-trash-project","14":"tag-bronx-volunteer-initiatives","15":"tag-bronx-water-issues","16":"tag-enterococcus-in-rivers","17":"tag-nyc-environmental-efforts","18":"tag-nyc-storm-surge-risks","19":"tag-river-pollution-causes","20":"tag-waste-project-bronx","21":"tag-water-drop-project","22":"tag-water-pollution-nyc","23":"motype-eternal","24":"moformat-longrid-korotka","25":"moimportance-golovna-novyna","26":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bronx.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2610","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bronx.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bronx.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronx.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/420"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronx.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2610"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bronx.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2610\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2611,"href":"https:\/\/bronx.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2610\/revisions\/2611"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronx.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2462"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bronx.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2610"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronx.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2610"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronx.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2610"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronx.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=2610"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronx.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=2610"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronx.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=2610"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}