Last month, a significant amount of raw sewage—around 7,100 gallons—spilled into a popular swimming area in College Point, causing frustration among locals who felt they weren’t properly warned about the hazard.
On April 23, sewage poured into Flushing Bay after pipes at the nearby Tallman Island wastewater facility broke. Instead of holding press conferences or placing warning signs by the water, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) only issued one notification through Nyalert, a rather obscure city text service that requires prior registration.
Many residents are unsure they would have known about the incident at all if it weren’t for a neighbor who actively follows this obscure information channel.
“We use this water for recreation—beach cleanups, kayaking, fishing. If there’s a system in place, there should definitely be a better way to keep us informed about our waterways,” one resident expressed.
“When did this even happen? I’m not sure,” they added.
The contaminated water flowed into areas popular with sailors, swimmers, and anglers. The pipe had been leaking for about five hours, releasing sewage at a rate of up to 100 gallons per minute, which finally accumulated to over 7,000 gallons of waste and debris.
“As for communication with the community, we did send immediate notice to the New York State Department of Environmental Protection, and alerts were also sent via NY-Alert,” a DEP spokesperson stated.
They mentioned that the Queens Borough commissioner talked to staff in the office of Councilor Vickie Paladino since the pump station is in her district. However, Paladino’s office didn’t respond to inquiries, and residents claim they were left completely unaware, even after the city faced violations related to the May 5 incident.
“Not getting clear notifications is a major issue for us,” one resident mentioned, noting the difficulties in getting answers from the DEP.
“It’s vital for us to be informed to make wise health decisions,” they continued.
Local advocacy groups and nearby yacht clubs also reported feeling uninformed about the spill.
The result? Swimmers and kayakers continued to use the water without knowing it was contaminated, with many people even jumping into the waves of Big Rock Beach as temperatures climbed to 80 degrees just days after the incident.
“Yeah, EW!” remarked Stephanie Centenno, who lives near a hidden beach and saw crowds enjoying themselves without any idea of the water quality.
“It’s just typical, but they don’t realize it’s polluted. The water is green and has a smell,” she noted.
Experts warn that the repercussions of such sewage spills extend beyond just unpleasantness—they can be serious.
“These pathogens can cause infectious diseases in marine life and affect people who are kayaking or in close contact with contaminated water,” explained James Selvino, an environmental expert at the Woods Hole Marine Institute.
“When these sewage leaks happen, fishermen who catch and consume fish could get sick. Plus, sailors might touch their eyes or mouths after contact with the water and fall ill,” he added.
He also mentioned that sewage can lead to harmful algae blooms, which produce toxins that further endanger marine life and human health.
