Your membership in Save the Sound fuels real sewage pollution cleanup.

Taking Action on Sewage Overflows from 
New York City

When it rains in New York City raw sewage and garbage from city streets are flushed into the open waters surrounding the five boroughs. Recently the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) quietly approved flawed plans for addressing sewage pollution in five city waterways - Flushing Bay, Flushing Creek and Alley Creek in Queens, and the Bronx and Hutchinson rivers in the Bronx. These New York City waters all flow into Long Island Sound and pollute areas where people swim, fish and kayak, leaving communities with dirty water and 
stressed fish and wildlife.
 
To make matters worse, EPA has allowed the state and the city to use outdated water standards that will imperil public health.
 
You deserve better plans and standards that will ultimately restore these polluted waters to safe swimming, fishing and boating. On your behalf, Save the Sound joined NRDC, Riverkeeper and Waterkeeper Alliance to take legal action against EPA to require the adoption of clean water standards that will protect New York City and Long Island Sound waters and the people who use them.
 


Progress in Westchester Sewage Case


Good news! Towns in Westchester are finally starting to eliminate raw sewage overflows. Positive discussions continue with Westchester County and Sound shore communities on legal settlements and repairs to failing sewage pipes.
 
Save the Sound brought a federal lawsuit in 2015 to finally stop decades of chronic sewage overflows. To clean up your water, we recently entered into agreements with the County and 9 municipalities who have started assessing the condition of their sewage collection systems and proposing solutions with real timelines. While municipalities continue to make real progress to meet the agreed-to timeline, Save the Sound will not advance the lawsuit in the courts.  

Why we brought the Westchester case >>
Mount Vernon Must Stop Polluting the Hutchinson River  

Since 2014, Save the Sound has been tracking and reporting on the alarming and ongoing water pollution in the Hutchinson River. One of the main culprits has been the City of Mount Vernon which, due to old, decrepit sewage and stormwater pipes, has been dumping raw sewage and other waste into the river 24/7 for years.  The city has resisted enforcement actions by 
DEC and EPA, which finally landed Mount Vernon in federal court this year.
 
Now facing tremendous fines on top of the cost of needed repairs, the city has committed to addressing their longstanding Clean Water Act violations. Avoiding repairs has made them more costly.
 
Save the Sound has been working with EPA on this effort, assisting in evidence gathering. We are pleased to now also be working with Mayor Thomas and his team on plans to clean up the Hutchinson River and transform it into an asset instead of a liability for the residents of Mount Vernon, Pelham and the communities downstream on Eastchester Bay in the Bronx.

See CBS NY coverage of Save the Sound Director >>
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Save the Sound is dedicated to safe swimming beaches, healthy waters for people and wildlife, and protecting the watershed of Long Island Sound. O ffices in New Haven and Mamaroneck.