In the 1990s, the East River was so polluted that it was nicknamed “The Dead River.” Today, things have improved slightly, but the river is still far from clean. So how did it become so polluted in the first place? And why has it been so hard to clean up? Let’s take a closer look.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
The East River has a long history of pollution, dating back to the early days of industrialization in New York City.
The East River was once a crucial transport route to growing commercial centers near its banks. As industrialization began in New York City in the early 1800s, factories and manufacturing plants started to spring up along its edges, releasing toxins and contaminants into the river.
Despite sanitation measures implemented over the decades, pollutants still make their way into the waterway. Human activity is largely responsible for the decreased species diversity that affects marine life.
Environmental enforcement agencies such as The Department of Environment Conservation help keep pollution from getting out of hand, yet more work is needed to protect both the river and its inhabitants from potential harm.
Factories and sewage plants have been dumping their waste into the river for centuries, making it one of the most polluted bodies of water in the world.
The river has borne the brunt of human ignorance and complacency since factories and sewage plants began dumping their waste into its waters centuries ago.
The result is one of the most polluted bodies of water in the world, degraded to a point where biota cannot survive and locals are extremely wary about using it for drinking or irrigational purposes.
It is an environmental tragedy that has been allowed to fester for far too long; yet despite its current state, there is still hope that with concerted rehabilitation efforts from governments, non-profits and individuals the river can be restored and its biodiversity revitalized.
Despite efforts to clean up the river, it remains heavily polluted today due to runoff from streets and storm drains, as well as illegal dumping.
Although measures have been made to ensure that the health of the river is maintained, it still remains polluted to this day.
Much of this pollution is caused by runoff from streets and storm drains, as well as untraceable sources such as illegal dumping. This problem must be addressed soon or the environmental risks will continue to escalate, and the residents of the area will continue to suffer from its detrimental effects.
Local authorities have identified this as a major concern, and are working on initiatives to clean up the river and make sure that pollution levels are kept under control.
The pollution in the East River poses a serious threat to human health and the environment, and efforts must be made to reduce it.
The East River serves as the lifeblood of New York City, but this seemingly pristine metropolis water is becoming more and more contaminated over time.
With an increasing amount of pollutants entering the body of water that flows past every borough except Staten Island, its once-clear blue hue has taken on a murkier tone.
The pollution in this river poses a serious threat to human health and the environment – fish, reptiles, amphibians, plants, and even birds have been adversely impacted due to excessive chemical run-off and other toxins. To prevent further damage to our beloved river we need to reduce the issue at its source.
Stricter regulations must be in place to address industries pumping chemicals into the river, as well as campaigns aimed at educating local communities on safe disposal practices.
We can all do our part to ensure that the East River remains clean by becoming active advocates for its protection and taking action toward reducing its pollution levels.
Some ways to reduce pollution in the East River include improving wastewater treatment, reducing runoff from streets and storm drains, and increasing enforcement of laws against illegal dumping.
To reduce pollution in the East River, three main strategies have been proposed.
The first is to improve wastewater treatment, being mindful of both industrial and residential effluents. This should involve more stringent regulations as well as better resources for cleaning up water that isn’t fit for release.
Secondly, eliminating or reducing runoff from streets and storm drains could make a substantial difference. This entails maintaining street drains and increasing public awareness of the dangers associated with it, such as how pollutants enter our waterways through this practice.
Lastly, there needs to be increased enforcement of laws against the illegal dumping of waste or garbage into the East River, both onshore and offshore. Numerous volunteer initiatives exist to combat this issue; however, an official reinforcement is also required if a truly effective change is to occur.
In conclusion
The East River has a long history of pollution, dating back to the early days of industrialization in New York City. Despite efforts to clean up the river, it remains heavily polluted today due to runoff from streets and storm drains, as well as illegal dumping.
The pollution in the East River poses a serious threat to human health and the environment, and efforts must be made to reduce it.
Some ways to reduce pollution in the East River include improving wastewater treatment, reducing runoff from streets and storm drains, and increasing enforcement of laws against illegal dumping.
