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Yesterday the EPA came out with a report from the first phase of a federal investigation into what exactly is in the Gowanus Canal and where it’s actually coming from. If you’re brave enough to read it in full, the PDF can be downloaded here. The Brooklyn Paper breaks down the report, which finds that “uncontrolled discharges of sewage, storm water and other types of discharges into the Gowanus continue to contaminate the canal.” There are more than a dozen contaminants, two of which are suspected carcinogens. Next up the EPA will review different options to clean up the canal and then remove all the existing debris and strengthen the bulkheads. Even after all remediation is said and done, EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck says, The level of contamination is so severe that I don’t feel comfortable saying that when we’re done, it will be fishable or swimmable. Yeah, we think we’ll pass.
Photo by Jackie Weisburg


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. By East New York on February 3, 2011 3:23 PM

    “no one needs to swim and bathe for it to be a nice feature.”

    Who’s talking about swimming or bathing? I wouldn’t get within 50 feet of that “water” if I didn’t have to. It stinks in the summer (not fun)

    Maybe you smelled yourself? Because you are full of sh#$ if you think it stinks any time of the year.

  2. I walked back and forth over the Carol St. bridge many times 2001 – 2004, and the canal didn’t stink. It even had some jellyfish. It was not scenic, and I wasn’t about to go splashing in the water, but it wasn’t stinky or offensive, at least at the time. Is it worse now?