OSSINING – Water quality in the Hudson River has improved since
passage of the state’s Pure Waters Bond Act 50 years ago, but more
needs to be done to ensure its quality gets even better, according to
extensive studies of the river and its tributaries conducted by the Riverkeeper
environmental organization.
As measured against the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended
guidelines for safe swimming, the study found 23 percent of Hudson River
estuary samples failed while 72 percent of Hudson River tributary samples
failed and 48 percent of New York City-area water access point samples
failed.
Water quality improvements are needed in many areas currently used by
the public for recreation, particularly tributaries and cities, the report
found.
Riverkeeper has developed an action agenda and is calling on Albany to
act first on two “high priority” items – increased funding
for community grants via the state Water Infrastructure Improvement Act
and restoration of staff and budget for the Department of Environmental
Conservation, both aimed at cleaning up the river.
“We’re challenging elected leaders to reinvest in both clean
water infrastructure, and in the enforcement of our environmental laws,”
said Daniel Shapley, Riverkeeper’s water quality program manager.
