NEW YORK — Sept. 9, 2015 — Boats can no longer dump sewage into Seneca Lake, Cayuga Lake or the Seneca River because they have been declared "no discharge zones," according to a press release.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the ban, noted the release. The EPA approved the DEC’s proposal after determining adequate facilities existed in the area for boats to pump out sewage.
The restriction requires boats to dispose of sewage at specially designated pump-out stations located around Lake Cayuga and Lake Seneca, stated the release. The measure is designed to eliminate sewage discharge from boats into New York’s waterways.
Sewage dumping can introduce harmful levels of pathogens and chemicals including formaldehyde, phenols and chlorine to the water, reducing water quality and posing health risks to people and marine life, reported the release. The discharge zone proposal was made in April.
With the EPA, the state has already established the no discharge zones in Lakes Erie, Ontario, Champlain and George, the New York State Canal System, the Hudson River and others, shared the release.
You can find the entire release here.
