i a report pollution the.. niagara river · in the buffalo river causing serious tem- porary...

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SUMMARY REPORT ON POLLUTION OF

THE.. NIAGARA RIVER

INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION ADVISORY BOARD

SUMMARY REPORT

ON

POLLUTION OF THE NIAGARA RIVER

TO

THE INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION

This report has been prepared by the Lakes Erie-Ontario Advisory Board to the International Joint Commission on Control of Pollution of Boundary Waters. It is in response to a request f rom the Commission for the latest information available regardingcompliance o r noncompliance with the "Objectives for Boundary Waters Quality Controln in the Niagara River.

Those responsible for degrading the water quality below the uObjectivesn have been identified and the status of corrective measures indicated.

October 1967

TABLEOFCONTENTS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary. 1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . General Characteristics of Xiagara River Area 2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pollution Problems in the Niagara River 3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Objectives for Boundary Water Control 3

River Sectors with Coliform Concentrations above the I.J.C.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Objectives 6

. . . River Sectors with Phenol Concentrations Above the I.J.C. Objectives 7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oil Problems in the Niagara River 10

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Esthetic Impairment of the Niagara River 13

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other Problems 16

Programs in Effect to Abate Pollution in the Niagara River

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New York State 21

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Province of Ontario 31

. . . . . . . . . . . Federal Water Pollution Control Administration 33

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix 35

3

SUMMARY REPORT

Although there has been considerable waste reduction progress since 1951 directed toward improving the characteristics of the Niagara River water to meet the UObject ives For Boundary Water Quality Controln established by the International Joint Commission, there remain some areas in the river in which the water quality fails to meet the objectives occasionally or all of the time. Because of the larger population and industrialization on the U. S. side, most of the wastes causing pollution of the Niagara River originate in the United States.

.In a large portion of the river, the coliform counts are much below the 'objective of a median of 2400 organisms per 100 milli- liters. In a few limited areas, primarily along the U.S. shore, they are consistently higher than the objective. In some others they approach and are occasionally above the objective. Completion of secondary treatment facilities at all of the municipal plants on the U.S. side and other corrective measures currently ordered by the New York State Health Department will reduce the coliforms well below the objective in all portions of the river. The median will be reduced below 1000 per 100 ml which some authorities now feel is needed.

The concentration of phenol exceeds the objectives in some areas of the river. However, taste and odors caused by phenol at municipal water plants on the U.S. side are no longer a problem. The Town of Niagara on the Lake treats with activated carbon to prevent taste and odor in the finished water. The additional removal of phenol in industrial wastes and secondary treatment by the City of Niagara Falls now ordered by New York will reduce the quantity below the accepted limits. All phenol in the Lower Niagara River, which may be affecting the Niagara-on-the-Lake water supply, will be effectively controlled.

Oil in the Niagara River is a serious problem. The current conditions indicate

that reduction of oil concentrations to a maximum of 15 milligrams per liter in industrial waste effluents, originally believed adequate to meet the objectives, is insufficient to eliminate all oil problems in the Niagara. Further reduction of waste oils entering the river will be accomplished by the increased degree of treatment of municipal and industrial wastes ordered by New York State. Although precautionary measures to prevent oil spills are being required, accidents may never be completely eliminated.

There a re areas of esthetic impairment of the Niagara River. The most serious a r e the discoloration and odor at the diversion sewer outfall, discoloration at the outfall of the City of Niagara Falls sewage treatment plant, and the odor and brown foam at the Maid of the Mist landing dock at the Canadian side. The diversion sewer discoloration will be eliminated when Carborundum removes i ts wastes and corrective measures by the Hooker Cor- poration plant will eliminate moat if not all the odor. The discoloration from the City of Niagara Falls sewage treatment plant will be eliminated when the secondary treatment ordered by the New York State is provided. Other discolorations of limited river areas a re also in process of elimination. The foam and odor problem below the falls which has existed for a long time is not entirely understood. It is probably related to the enrichment of Lake Erie and the Niagara River with the resultant growth and decay of algae. The problem may npt be alleviated until a solution is found for nutrient control in the Lake and the Upper Niagara River.

The quality of the water essentially meets all of the other I.J.C. objectives. Thewaste abatement programs in operation on both sides of the border will further upgrade the r iver water quality in all respects. The recently expanded enforcement program of New York State should expeditiously provide the increased waste treatment needed on the U.S. side of the border.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS O F THE RIVER AREA

The Niagara River, about 37 miles long, connects Lakes Erie and Ontario with the famous Niagara Falls located about midway between the lakes. The volume of flow averages approximately 200,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) with relatively little seasonal o r from year to year variation. The tributaries have very minimal dependable yields.

The comparatively low flow in the Buff a10 River creates conditions which affect the Niagara River. The average annual flow in the Buffalo River is approximately 525 c fs with minimum annual flow in the range of 10 to 20 cfs. The original stream bed of the Buffalo River was undoubtedly that of a relatively small stream. Approximately five miles of the lower portion of the river has been deepened and widened to permit lake boats to go up the river. This has created a large pond of water in which there is no significant stream movement during extended periods of relatively low river flow. As a result of this, the Buffalo River industries, taking water from and returning wastes to the stream,were essentially reusing and concentrating their waste waters in the Buffalo River. In addition to creating a very objectionably polluted lower river area, sudden high flows flush out the concentrated wastes in the Buffalo River causing serious temporary detrimental effects on the Niagara River. Because of this the Buffalo Stream Improvement project was conceived. In- itiated many years ago, it was finally completed and placed in operation February 20, 1967. Its purpose is to provide process water to five Buffalo River industries from Lake Erie, and then discharge the waste water to the r iver to maintain a minimum stream flow of 160 cfs.

The Niagara River is the source for municipal water supplies serving 96 million gallons per day (rngd) to 330,000 people in the United States and 11 mgd to a Canadian population of 67,000. The City of Buffalo municipal water plant, which

obtains water at the junction of Lake* I

Erie and the Niagara River, treats an additional 125 mgd for a of 530,000. More than 300 mgd is p ~ ~ d f rom the Niagara by U.S. industries. Be- thlehem Steel and the Buffalo River industries take another 450 mgd from Lake Erie at the head of the Niagara.

Sailboats at head of Nlngara Rlver. (Photo courtesy Buffalo Chamber of Commerce.)

Hydroelectric power production by both U. S. and Canada and commercial navigation are major uses of the Niagara River. Re- creational boating is an extensive activity supporting a major industry in the area. Fishing, water skiiing, swimming; and waterfowl huntin g a re also principal uses of these waters. A tremendous tourist business is generated for both Canada and the United States by the magnificent Niagara Falls.

The River receives municipal wastes from the Niagara Region populations on both sides of the border. Most of these a r e treated by sedimentation and chlorination. The industries responsible for most of the industrial wastes entering the river include chemical, steel, abrasives, paper, and oil refining. Dye manufacturing and alkali-chlorine production constitutes a significant portionof the chemical industry in the area.

Beaver Island Btnte Park on north-& tip &Grand I-- TMS very heavily uoed kach was In the past affected by the effluent from the Buffalo treatment plant.

POLLUTION PROBLEMS IN THE NIAGARA RIVER

To adequately evaluate the effects of local waste discharges on the Niagara River quality, it is necessary to include consideration of the waste sources entering Lake Erie near the source of the Niagara because of their effects on the river water quality. Therefore, the waste sources entering Lake Erie directly from the Buffalo-Lackawanna area, and those going into the Buffalo River and their effect on the receiving waters are included in this discussion.

In determining the sectors of the river having identifiable pollution and particularly for establishing areas of pollution exceeding the International Joint Commission objectives at least some of the time, analytical data collected by the Ontario Water Resources Commission, the I. J.C. Field Unit, and other agencies have been reviewed. Although many of the observations and much of the analytical history showing areas of the river with water quality poorer than established by the objectives was that obtained by the I.J.C. Field Unit; the only Niagara River data presented in this report is the coliform and phenol concentrations determined by the Ontario Water Resources Commission in 1966 and 1967. This is presented graphically in the Appendix in a manner similar to that used in the Com- mission's 1951 report. The river mileage used i s the distance in miles above the mouth as s h w n in Figure 1.

OBJECTIVES FOR BOUNDARY WATERS QUALITY CONTROL

In general, adverse conditions are cailsed by: (A) Excessive bacterial, physical o r

chemical contamination.

(B) Unnatural deposits in the stream, interfering with navigation, fishana wildlife, bathing, recreation, or destruction of aesthetic values.

(C) Toxic substances and materials im- parting objectionable tastes and odors to waters used for domestic or industrial purposes.

(D) Floating materials, including oils, grease, garbage, sewage solids, or other refuse.

SPECIFIC OBJECTNES

In more specific terms, adequate con- t rols of pollution will necessitate the following objectives for:

(A) Sanitary Sewage, Storm Water and Wastes from Water Craft

Sufficient treatment for adequate removal o r reduction of solids, bacteria and chemical constituents which may interfere unreasonably with the use of these waters for purposes aforementioned. Adequate protection for these waters, except in certain specific instances influenced by localconditions, should be provided if the coliform M. P.N. median value does not exceed 2,400 per 100 ml. at any point in the waters following initial dilution.

(B) Industrial Wastes

( 1) Chemical Wastes - Phenolic Type GENERAL OBJECTNES

A l l wastes, including sanitary sewage, storm water, and industrial effluents, shall be in such condition when discharged into any stream that they will not create conditions in the boundary waters which will adversely affect the use of those waters for the following purposes: source of domestic water supply or industrial water supply, navigation, fish and wildlife, bathing, recreation, agriculture and other riparian activities.

Industrial waste effluents fromphenolic hydro-carbon and other chemical plants will cause objectionable tastes o r odors in drinking or industrial water supplies and may taint the flesh of fish.

Adequate protection should be provided for these waters if the concentration of phenol or phenol equivalents does not exceed an average of 2 p.p.b. and a maximum of 5 p.p.b. at any point in these waters following initial dilution.

This quality in the receiving waters will probably be attained if plant effluents are limited to 20 p.p.b. of phenol or phenol equivalents. Some of the industries producing phenolic wastes are: coke, synthetic resin, oil refining, petroleum craclung, tar , road oil, creo- soting, wood distillation, and dye manufacturing plants.

(2) Chemical Wastes - Other Than Phenolic

(a) The pH of these waters following initial dilution is ' not less than 6.7 nor more than 8.5. This quality in the receiving waters will probably be attained if plant effluents are adjusted to a pH value within the range of 5.5 and 10.6.

(b) The iron content of these waters following initial dilution does not exceed 0.3 p.p.m. This quality in the receiving waters will probably be attained if plant effluents a r e limited to 17 p.p.m. of iron in terms of Fe.

(c) The odor-producing substances in the effluent are reduced to a point that following initial dilution with these waters the mixture does not have a threshold odor number in excess of 8 due to such added material.

(d) Unnatural color and turbidity of the wastes are reduced to a point that these waters will not be offensive in appearance o r otherwise unattractive for aforementioned purposes.

(e) Oils and floating solids a re reduced to a point such that they will not create fire hazards, coat hulls of water craft, injure fish o r wildlife o r their habitat, or will adversely affect public o r private recreational development o r other legitimate shore line developments or uses. Protection should be provided for these waters if plant effluents o r s torm water discharges from premises do not contain oils, as determined by extraction, in excess of 15 p.p.m., o r . a sufficient amount to create more than a faint

iridescence. Some of the industries producing chemical wastes other than phenolic are: oil wells and petroleum refineries, gasoline f i l - ling stations and bulk stations, styrene copolymer, synthetic phar - rnaceutical, synthetic fibre, iron and steel, alkali chemical, rubber fab- ricating, dye manufacturing, and acid manufacturing plants.

(3) Highly Toxic Wastes

Adequate protection should be provided for these waters if substances highly ' toxic to human, fish, aquatic, or wildlife are eliminated o r reduced to safe limits.

Some of the industries producing highly toxic wastes are: metal plating and finishing plants discharging cyanides, chromium o r other toxic wastes; chemical or pharmaceutical plants and coke ovens. Wastes containing toxic concentrations of f ree halogens are included in this cate- gory

(4) Deoxygenating Wastes

Adequate protection of these waters should result if sufficient treatment is provided for the substantial removal of solids, bacteria, chemical constituents and other substances capable of reducing the dissolved oxygen content of these waters unreasonably. Some of theindustries producing these wastes are: tan- neries, glue and gelatin plants, al- cohol, including breweries and distilleries, wool scouring, pulp and paper, food processing plants such a s meat packing and dairy plants, corn products, beet sugar, fishpro- cessing and dehydration plants.

Niagara River Sectors with Coliform Con- centrations Above the I.J.C. Objectives

Peace Bridge Range ( N i -35.8)

Data collected in 1965 and 1967 shows that the median coliform concentration exceeded the I. J.C. objective of 2400 organisms/100 ml. at a point one hundred- fifty feet out from the U.S. shore at the Peace Bridge sampling range. The median value of six samples collected in 1967 was 6700 organisms/ 100 ml. and 3600 for 12 samples in 1965. In 1966 it was below 2400 as has been the case in other recent years. It has always been below 1000 at all points sampled from 300 to 1000 feet out from the U.S. shore.

The principal source of these coliforms is the Buffalo River discharge, which receives septic tank effluents from a limited area of the City of Buffalo, as well as storm-caused overflows from the Buffalo Sewer Authority combined system and municipal waste treatment plant effluents in the upper reaches.

The storm water overflow problem is being investigated as a part of the Erie County Sewerage Study. Consideration is also being given to installing municipal sewers in an industrial area near the mouth of the Buffalo River which will eliminate the septic tank effluents. A time schedule for correction of these problems has not been established.

International Railroad Bridge (Ni - 34.3)

The median coliform count of 3600 organisms/100 ml. obtained from 28 samples collected in 1967 at a point one hundred feet from the U.S. shore exceeded the I. J.C. objective of 2400. It has approached o r exceeded this objective at this location in most of the recent years. The coliform concentrations beyond 300 feet from shore have always been considerably below the objective.

The source of the coliforms near the U. S. shore at this range a re those coming from above the Peach Bridge range and from the Buffalo Sewer Authority's primary treatment plant effluent, which is being disinfected with chlorine.

TheCityoSBuffalds sewage treatment plant on the Niagara River.

Reduction of the coliform count to below the I. J.C. objective at al l times should be accomplished when the Peace Bridge range coliforins a re reduced and the Buffalo Sewer Authority provides secondary treatment. A time schedule for construction of the secondary treatment plant is being established.

River Mileage (Ni - 23.6)

The median coliform concentration of 6800 organisms/100 ml. at a shoreline sampling point at r iver mileage 23.6 exceeds the I. J.C. objective. This point is immediately downstream of the rubbish dump of the City of North Tonawanda and somewhat less than one mile below the North Tona- wanda sewage treatment plant.

The principal source of these coliforms is believed to be the effluent of the City of North Tonawanda primary sewage treatment plant. Some may also be contributed by dump operations which a re now relatively limited a s it is gradually being discontinued.

The coliforms will be reduced below the I.J.C. objectives when the City of Sorth Tonawanda provides secondary treatment of the municipal wastes which is scheduled for 2/1/71.

River Mileage 21.0 to 19.3

The coliform concentrations signrficantly exceed the I.J.C. objective along the U.S. shore in this stretch of the river. The median M.P.N. of 9 samples collected was 20,000-organisms/100 ml.

-4 significant source of these coliforms is septic tank effluents and raw sanitary sewage entering Cayuga Creek from a limited area of the City of Niagara Falls and other rural and suburban areas of Niagara County. A number of these discharges are the result of illegal connections to the City of Niagara Falls s to rm sewers. Another source is septic tank effluents from Cayuga Island residences.

The City of Niagara Falls is currently making dye studies of all residential sewers in the problem area and requiring all illegally connected house sewers to connect to the sanitary sewer. A solution to the Cayuga Island and the suburban area situation will be proposed by the Niagara County Comprehensive Sewerage Study now in progress.

Range (Ni - 1.0)

This range at the mouth of the Niagara River was sampled very intensively by the Ontario Water Resources Commission and the I.J.C. Field Unit at Buffalo in 1963 and to a more limited degree in other years. The coliform concentrations a r e generally below the I. J.C. objective, although in some ser ies of samples the concentration has been slightly above at the point 100 feet from the Canadian shore. At this location there is relatively little downstreammovement of the water near the Canadian shore, and it would be markedly affected by any nearby shore line pollution. The median coliform concentration at other points on this sampling range is usually 1000 to 1500 organisms / 100 ml. Although this area at the mouth is generally below the I.J.C. objective, it is significantly higher than the Lake Erie water at the head of the Niagara which is relatively free of coliforms.

The principal sources of coliforms entering the lower Niagara River are the discharges from the Cities of Niagara Falls and Lewiston, New York and Niagara Falls, On- tario Sewage Treatment Plants, Niagara University sanitary wastes and stormwater overflows.

The City of Niagara Falls, Sew York is scheduled to provide a more eifective waste treatment plant by June 1, 1972. Niagara University has requested permission to connect to the Niagara Falls, New York sewer system. The Niagara County Compre- hensive Sewerage Study, now in progress, may develop a practical method for reducing the s torm water overflows. When accomplished, the above improvements will significantly reduce the coliforms in this sector. A water supply intake and bathing beach are located in this a rea on the Canadian side.

River Sectors with Phenol Concentrations Above the I. J.C. Objectives

Range below the mouth of the Buffalo at the head of the Niagara River in line with the City of Buffalo Municipal Water Plant Intake (Ni-37.7)

In 1966 and 1967 the Ontario Water Re- sources obtained data s h o w that the phenol concentrations exceeded the I. J. C . objective of an average of 2 and a maximum of 5 micrograms per liter (ug/l) at some portions of this range. In both years the objective was exceeded at the point 200 feet from the U.S. shore with a high of 50 ug/l in 1967. In 1967 the phenol content was above the objective at the points 6500, 8500 and 10,500 feet from the U.S. shore. A maximum of 15 ug/l was found in one sample at the 8500 foot point. The high phenol concentrations 200 feet from the U.S. shore are a normal condition, but the high values at the points nearer the Canadian shore a r e unusual. In 1966 no phenol was present at these locations. The presence of th e high phenol concentrations in 1967 was further substantiated by higher than normal concentrations near the Canadian shore at some downstream samplingpoints.

1 One of Allled Chemical, Buffalo Dye's outfall6 to the Buffalo River.

The high phenol concentration at the point 200 feet from the U.S. shore is primarily from the Mobil Oil Refinery, Buffalo Dye ' Plant and the Donner-Hanna Coke Plant, all of which discharge their waste water to the Buffalo River. The source of the high concentrations nearer the Canadian shore a r e not definitely known. Since only three samples were collected at each sampling point in 1967 and the highest values were all obtained on the same day, this may have been a temporary condition. It could have been a spill from a ship o r an unusual phenol loss by Bethlehem Steel. Normally, Bethlehem's wastes tend to remain closer to the U.S. shore. Furthermore, the usual quantity of phenol in Bethlehem's waste does not persist in significant concentrations this far distant from their outfalls.

The Mobil Oil and Donner-Hanna Corporations have been ordered to provide more adequate treatment of their plant wastes by 12/1/69 and Buffalo Dye by 1/1/71. Mobil Oil plans to discontinue refinery operations in 1968, which will eliminate phenol waste from this source. Provision of more effective treatment by the other two plants should reduce the phenol concentrations near the U.S. shore to acceptable limits. When Bethlehem Steel completes the waste treatment installation which they have been ordered to provide by 1/1/70, reduction of waste phenol reaching the Niagara River is expected. The high phenol in the water nearer the Canadian shore apparently was a temporary condition from an unknown source, which needs to be

I

identified before corrective measures Can be instituted. The I.J.C. Field unit will make further investigation of this condition when and if i t reoccurs.

2. Vlew of gutlalo River showing discharges of Republlc Steel at top of photo and Buffalo Dye at bottom.

Niagara River at the International Railroad Bridge Range (Ni-34.3)

Data collected routinely by the I.J.C. Field Unit has shown that prior to 1960 relatively high phenol concentrations were present in the water at this range with the significantly higher values nearest the U.S. shore. Since 1962, the phenol content has been below the objectives much of the time and has been somewhat above at other periods. The maximum found during this period was 28 ug/ l at the 300 foot sampling point in 1965. Except for a rare sample exceeding the maximum permissible value, the concentrations have always been within the objective in the remainder of the river extending to the Canadian shore. Although they were below the objectives in 1967, they were higher nearer the Canadianshore than in recent prior years which confirms the unusually high phenol determinations obtained at range (Ni-37.7) in 1967.

The planned corrective measures at the above plants previously discussed under Range (Ni-37.7) , when completed, will reduce the phenol content of the water at this location below the I.J.C. objectives at all t imes except for the possibility of unusual conditions such a s apparently occurred near the Canadian shore in. 1967.

1

Range Across the Niagara River at the Head of Strawberry Island (Ni-32.5)

The data collected by the Ontario Water Resources Commission in 1966 and 1967 slightly exceeded the objectives at times along this range. The 1966 data showed the phenol content above the objectives near the U.S. shore while in 1967 it was highest just beyond the center of the river towards the Canadian shore.

The phenol present nearer the U.S. shore is the residuals remaining from the Buffalo River industrial sources and will be considerably below the objectives after these industries place in operation the planned waste treatment measures. The presence of phenol in the sector towards the Cana- dian shore was a temporary condition since the phenol is normally below the objective in this sector.

River Mileage 29.0 to 26.2

The quantity of phenol near the U.S. shore is consistently above the objective at river mileage 29.0. This is immediately downstream of the waste outfall of the Semet Solvay Coke plant. Some additional phenol waste enters the river in the Ashland Oil waste discharges at mileage point 28.9 These phenols at times persist downstream almost to mileage point 26.2 at which point they a re below the objectives.

The Semet Solvay Coke plant has phenol recovery process, which effectively removes the phenol from the ammonia still wastes, but some small losses occur in other process waste steams. The Ashland Oil refinery also practices in-plant phenol recovery. The New York State Health De- partment has had an initial conference with Semet Solvay and a time schedule for instituting improved waste treatment is being negotiated. The Ashland Oil Re- finery has been ordered to have more effective waste treatment in operation by September 1, 1969. The improved waste treatment by these plants will further reduce the phenol in their wastes and lower the concentration in the river below the objective except possibly for a short distance below each outfall.

~ i k e r Mileage 24.6 to 18.0 I I Maximum concentrations of phenol as hlgh

as' 200 and average values up to 100 ug/l have been obtained in recent years at r iver mileage 24.6, close to the U.S. shore to mile point 18.0. Some of these phenols enter the New York Power Author- ity intake at mile point 18.0 and subsequently enter into the lower Niagara River at the power plant discharge at mile point 9.0 thus bypassing the falls. Although they are usually dissipated by the time they reach this point, they add some phenol to the lower Niagara River.

The source of the above phenol is the H o o k e r Chemical Corporation's Durez Plastics Division plant wastes entering the river just above mile point 24.6. This waste contains more phenol than any other slngle source entering the Niagara River. Data collected in 1961 indicated a phenol loss of 1000 lbs/day. Because there was no indication that it caused a critical problem at any municipal plant the Durez Division has been given more time to develop a solution of their phenol waste problem than some other plants inthe area. Recent data however indicates that at times phenol from this source does reach the mouth of the Niagara in the vicinity of the municipal water plant intakeof the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake in Canada.

The Durez Division has in the past carried out several experiments, both pilot plant and plant scale, in an effort to re- cover the waste phenol. The New YorkState Health Department i s currently negotiating an abatement schedule with the Company. The probable solution will be the discharge of these wastes to the North Tona- wanda municipal system, which in turn i s being required to provide secondary treatment by 2/1/71. The phenol will be effectively removed by secondary treatment of the mixed industrial and sanitary wastes.

Two discharges Island.

International Paper Co. on Tonawanda

Range ( N i - 19.4)

The source of the phenol concentrations above the objectives obtained at this range in 1967 by the Ontario Water Resources Commission is unknown. It is improbable that they are residuals of the phenol found near the Canadian shore at the head of the river. Further investigation will be made by the I. J.C. Field Unit to determine if they a r e consistently present, and if so, to identify their source.

Lower Niagara River Ranges ( N i - 1.0) (N i - 2.4) and ( N i - 6.8)

The phenol data obtained at (Ni - 1.0) has shown the concentrations to vary from below the objectives to slightly above in recent years. The Ontario Water Resources Commission data shows them to be somewhat above the objective in 1966 and 1967 and also at ranges ( N i - 2.4 and 6.8).

The sources of this phenol a re the effluents of the Niagara Falls municipal treatment plant and Durez Division industrial wastes.

The additional treatment to be required of the City of Niagara Falls by June 1, 1972 and the more effective treatment of Durez Division plant wastes not as yet scheduled, but possibly by June 1, 1971, will effectively eliminate industrial waste phenol in the lower Niagara River.

It is recognized that there has been a marked reduction of phenol in the Niagara River since 1950, at which time it caused considerable taste and odors in municipal water supplies. Since 1960 there has been no taste and odor problems at Kiagara River municipal water plants on the United States side which can be definitely at- tributed to phenol. Analytical data has shown that the intake water of these plants is essentially free of phenol at all times. The phenol concentrations in the intake water of the municipal plant of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake on the Canadian side at the mouth of the Niagara exceeds the 1.J.C. objectives at times. This plant routinely must use activated carbon treatment to eliminate taste and odor in the finished water.

Oil Problems in the Niagara River

Oils probably cause more obvious damage to current uses of the Niagara River than any other single pollutant. Accidental spills of oil which create unusually heavy oil films on the Niagara River do occur, but improved precautionary measures have ten- ded to reduce the incidence of such spills.

A serious situation occurred early in 1967. The loss of a large quantity of oil to the Buffalo River from the Pennsyl- vania Railroad shops occurred simul- ta~leously with a flush out of previously accumulated oil in the Buffalo River. It not only caused a heavy oil film on the Niagara River, but some of the oil to- gether with oils from a December 1966 flush out accumulated in Black Rock Channel causing a fire hazard at at least one marina.

In the case of large oil spills to the Niagara, the oils frequently enter marinas in quantity, resulting in significant costs for the cleaning of boats. They have also made a private beach a rea on the east shore of Grand Island unuseable for swimming for periods of time, as well a s creating disagreeable coatings along the shore of other areas frequented by the public, When oils which have accumulated in the Buffalo River are flushed out by a major increase

in stream flow, the resultant effect on the Niagara River is the same as a major spill. Much of the oil discharged from Bethlehem Steel into South Ditch during the winter i s known to be retained in the area by the Lake Erie ice cover. When the ice moves out in the spring of the year, these accumulated oils a re suddenly released into the Niagara River.

Smoke Creek discharging Bethlehem's industrial wastes to Lake Erie.

Although the spills and sudden discharges create the more obviously strlking oil pollution, there is evidence to indicate that the insidious damage to water uses is much greater from the continuous industrial and municipal waste oil and grease losses to the stream. Observable oil films from waste oil discharges to Lake Erie o r the Niagara River usually persist for a limited distance below the individual outf alls . They normally disperse to the extent that they can no longer be readily seen on the whter surface. However, significant oil films do collect at various protected shore areas such as coves and marinas. In many cases there is no apparent relationship between the location of these oil concentrations and either the presence of known oil waste discharges or observable oil films on the water immediately upstream. An explanation of this phenomena is that even after the waste oils have dispersed sufficiently so that the films a re not readily visible, that certain conditions of flow and wind acting as an effective skimmer, re- concentrate these oils at certain locations.

It is known that during prevailing westerly winds, oils collect in marinas and other coves on the east U.S. mainland shore opposite Grand Island. Similar areas along the east shore of Grand Island (west shore of the east branch of the river) are usually free of oil except after periods of easterly winds.

During cold water periods, clumps o r pellets of congealed oil or grease varying in size from one-eighth to one-half inch in diameter a re sometimes found floating in the water in protected shoreline areas. During March and April of most years, clumps of oil varying in size from a large marble to a volume of one-quarter cubic foot a r e found along certain sections of the shore. In some sectors the clumps almost completely cover a width of several feet of the shoreline. This has occurred in boat launching areas. but fortunately they a r e melted by the warm weather and sun, and disappear before seasonal use of these facilities begin.

In addition to the damages of oil to boating and other recreational uses, evidence indicates that it is regularly killing ducks on the river. The Niagara River 1s a wintering area for certain ducks including the diving ducks, such as greater scaup and canvasbacks. These ducks usually come into this area early in December and remain in the river except during the more mild and quiet weather periods when they may go out into Lake Ontario. It appears that many of the ducks-swim into the pellets of congealed 011 or grease. The resultant oil o r grease spot on their feathers breaks down their natural water- proofing and they die of body exposure to cold water o r drowning. The presence of oil in the duck inhabited areas and the lncldence of oiled ducks do not appear to be related to unusual oil spllls to the river, but to the waste oil and fat regularly discharged to the river.

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.%. x- i:.

3.- '7' %r 5 5

+;:- I

Badly oiled duck climbing onto ice flow. Note oil-soaked wing dragging. Bird died l e s s than one hour after being found. (Photo courtesy Mr. John Long.)

There are water areas with observable oil films consistently present either in the Niagara River o r locations such that the film forming oils would be expected to enter the Niagara River.

The Buffalo River is always coated with oil. The principal known sources of these oils a re the Pennsylvania Railroad shops, Mobil Oil Refinery, Donner-Hanna Coke plant and the Republic Steel Corporation.

3. Republic Steel Company's outfall No. 5 on the Buffalo River.

.Approximately three square miles of Lake Erie in the vicinity of the mouth of Smoke Creek and South Ditch a r e usually covered with a visible f i lm of oil. Bethlehem Steel wastes and diesel refueling operations are the source of this oil.

There is usually an observable oil film present along the U.S. shore extending several miles downstream from the mouth of the Buffalo River. These oils come from the Buffalo River.

There is also an 011 film present in a limited area out from the Chevrolet Plant at r iver mileage 32.0. Another observable oil f i lm is present for some distance along the U.S. shore downstream from the Ash- land Oil Refinery outfall at mileage point 28.9.

At t imes of major oil spills from U.S. sources o r flushouts of the Buffalo River, there may be an oil film along the entire U.S. shore line down to the Niagara River Falls. At the falls it is mixed throughout the r iver creating a visible film over the entire lower Niagara.

Although the municipal waste treatment plants do not seem to create observable oil films on the stream below their outfalls, these wastes do contain considerable oils, fats or greases which analyze as extractables. Although they may not create surface films, there is evidence indicating that these oils or fats contribute to the oil or grease pellets floating in the water which kill ducks and to the grease clumps covering certain areas of the shore in the spring. The quantity of oil or extractables in the effluents of the sewage plants discharging directly to the upper Niagara River is over 32,000 lbs/day. These consist princi- pally of the polar compounds of the so- called vegetable or animal oil, fats and greases. The quantity of extractables in i i~dustrial eifluents discharge in the Lacka- wanna-Buffalo area and direct to the Niagara River for which current data a re available, is approximately 38,000 lbs/day . Discharges from some other industrial sources for which quantitative data have not a s yet bet made available are estimated to

,contribute an additional 5,000 lbs/day. Be- thlehem Steel wastes contain 31,000 of the 43,000 lbs/day estimated to be inindustrial wastes. They do remove some of this oil by skimming it from Smoke Creek and South Ditch before it reaches Lake Erie. Some industrial wastes contain polar as well a s non-polar fractions. It should be

noted that the r~unicipal waste treatment plants contribute: over 40 percent of the total oils entering the river.

One of Bethlehem Steel's discharges to Smoke Creek. Note change of color from clear to dark under bridge. Stream flow i s to the left.

The quantity of oils must be markedly reduced to prevent damage to uses of these waters. It is imperative to recognize that a high degree of removal from all sources will be needed to adequately protect the stream. Most of the industries in the area which have significant waste oil problems operate oil removal facilities o r reduce the losses in some other manner. The Chevrolet plant in Tonawanda is an example of one industry which has made an extremelycon- scientious effort to reduce the oils in their effluent. They effectively operate an effluent waste oil recovery plant, carry out good housekeeping practices and continually strive to eliminate oils in their waste discharge. Although they have reduced the extractable concentration in their effluent to below 15 mg/l (1966 plant data averaged 6 mg/l) and the effluent was not oily in appearance, an oil film appeared on the stream as the wastes and receiving water mixed.

,411 of the industries for which data is currently available have reduced the concentration of- oil in their waste below 15 milligrams per liter, which was suggested as possibly being adequate in the 1951 I.J.C. report. It is believed that those industries suspected of having some oil in their waste effluents for which data is not

now available also have oil concentrations below 15 mg/l. The concentrations of extractables in the municipal treatment plant effluents range up to 30 mg/l.

Elimination of oil problems in the Niagara River is expected to be difficult to accom- plish. The contributions from the municipal treatment plants will probably be eliminated when all of them provide secondary treatment now being required by New York State. There will be a significant reduction of industrial waste oil entering the r iver when all of the industries provide the additional waste treatment now being ordered by New York State. It may be that elimination of all oil problems in the r iver will necessitate complete removal of oil from all industrial waste which is not easily done.

Esthetic Impairment of the Niagara River

Certain waste discharges discolor the r iver below the outfalls and, although generally limited to areas of relatively little mixing with river water, do violate the I. J.C. objectives in that they a re offensive o r unattractive to the public. The shore area immediately below the mouth of the Buffalo River is normally an unpleasant dark color. This is caused by the Buffalo River outflow of water containing various municipal and industrial wastes a s well as s t reet and surface runoff. At mile point 26.7 the color of the area immediately below the Spaulding Fibre effluent discharge varies from a bright red to a light gray depending on the color of paper pulp fibers being produced at the time. Effluents from the Continental Can plant (mile point 26.0) in the City of Tonawanda and International Paper plant at North Tonawanda (mile point 25.0) also caused discoloration below their outfalls. This is primarily due to paper pulp fibers in these wastes although International Paper also has a foaming problem and add a defoaming agent to their effluent.

Although the planned improved waste treatment of industrial, municipal and s torm water overflows entering the Buf- falo River will reduce the color of Buffalo

River water, it will not have the same color as Lake Erie water until it becomes well diluted in the Niagarawaters. The additional treatment being required of Spaulding Fibre, International Paper and Continental Can plants will eliminate any noticeable discoloration of the river by their effluents. Current schedules for completion of these facilities are: Continental Can 1/1/69; In- ternational Paper 6/1/69 ; and Spaulding Fibre 1/1/70.

Just below the New York State Power intake in the City of Niagara Falls at mile point 18.0, there is usually a streak almost 100 feet wide of color slightly different from the river water which usually extends about one to two miles downstream and normally disappears before it reaches the turbulent waters above the falls. It is about 400 feet out from the U.S. shore and can be seen at times from the shore. It is caused by the calcium, about 5000 pounds per day, in the Union Carbide plant effluent, which eventually forms an insoluble carbonate salt in the river. This problem is being actively studied by the New York State Health Department and the Company. A definite method o r time schedule for its solution has not as yet been developed.

Diversion sever outfall to the Niagara River below Falls ind unstrearn from Rainbow Bridge at left. Onternattonal Paper plant has ceased operation, reducing the degree of discoloration.)

The Niagara Falls diversion sewer receives coolingwater and the less contamina- ted wastes from Hooker Chemical, Du- Pont Electro-chemical, and Olin Mathieson plants. It carries wastes containing suspended silicon carbide solids from the Carborundum Company. It discharges just downstream of the New York State Ob- servation Tower at mile point 14.2. The closing of the International Paper plant on April 15, 1967 lessened the discoloration but esthetically objectionable conditions immediately below the Niagara Falls are still apparent to all tourists and others viewing the falls. The discharge from the diversion sewer is now a medium gray color due to the solids in Carborundum's waste, discoloring the river water which is carried by eddy currents up to the Maid of the Mist landing dock at the base of the New York State Observation Tower. This recirculating waste and river water is an unpleasant visual evidence of pollution in a location where large numbers of people expect to see beautiful waters, but it does not cross to the Canadian side due to the rapid current in the center of the river.

The Carborundum Company is under orders to correct this situation by 4/1/70. They expect to remove all their wastes from the diversion sewer. They plan to provide treatment for suspended solids removal and discharge most wastes above the falls.

In addition to the discoloration, disagreeable chemical type odors are at times noticeable from the diversion sewer outfall when the wind carries them to the viewing area below the observation tower. At least some of these odors are hown to come from the Hooker Chemical Com- pany plant wastes. As a part of corrective measures for the Hooker Company, they a re being required t o eliminate any odor contribution to this sewer by 8/1/68. This will solve the problem unless there are some other presently unknown sources of odors entering the sewer.

At river mileage 13.2, about one mile below the falls, the effluent from the Nia- gara Falls treatment plant markedly dis- colors' a sigmficant section of the river. Treatment at this plant is limited to grit removal, fine screening, and disinfection, and provides very limited removal of waste constituents. The river discoloration is due to the considerable suspended solids (ap- proximaltly 400 rng/l) in the 71 mgd of effluent. About 75 percent of the plant influent is industrial wastes. The effluent contains considerable total solids, 2,000 to 8,000 mg/l; 12 mg/l of extractables; considerable phenol and substances toxic to fish which are reduced below toxic levels in the river by the available dilution.

Surface foam on river below Ningara Falls. Note diversion sewer outfall on right bank In backgormd.

An odor condition also exists at the Maid of the Mist landing dock on the Can- adian shore. A small cove at this point provides an area for the accumulation of foam 'generated by the agitation of the water coming over the falls. This foam apparently entraps organic debris such as algae which decomposes rapidly causing the foam to turn brown and give off a strong manure type odor. Although no specific waste discharge immediately upstream can be incriminated as a major cause, it is probable that the fertilizer materials in the total wastes entering Lake Erie as well as to the Niagara River Basin contribute to algae growths in the waters which accentuate the odors. This may not be a readily correctable problem. At present the Maid of the Mist crew burns the gross debris such as wood, weeds, and algae which can be manually removed from the water.

There are also frequent reports of disagreeable odors present immediately below both the American and Canadian Falls. Investigations show the water coming over the falls to be odor free. The source of the odors in the air below the falls has not been definitely established. Conceivably, the downdrafts created by the falls may at times carry atmospheric odors fromeither Niagara Falls, Ontario o r Niagara Falls, New York down into the. gorge.

Discoloratian on left from Niagara Falls (N.Y.) treatment plant. riacoloration on Canadian side (right) from storm sewer or storm water relief overilow.

This discoloration will be eliminated by the more complete treatment of wastes ordered by the New York State Health De- partment currently scheduled for completion by 6/1/72.

These areas of the river in which noncompliance with the I. J.C. objectives occurs are shown graphically in Figure 2. The sources of wastes which create these problems are shown in Table 1.

Other Problems

There is no specific evidence that the river water quality currently fails to meet any of the I.J.C. Objectives other than those for coliforms, phenol, oil and e s t h e tics previously discussed. There have not been fish kills in the Niagara River due to toxic waste discharges since 1951. The oxygen content of the river is essentially at saturation at al l points. There have been no verified instances of municipal or industrial wastes interfering with either municipal o r industrial water supplies in recent years other than the taste and odor problem at Niagara on the Lake.

There is no legislation currently available to require adequate treatment or handling of sanitary o r other wastes by commercial ships. The Province of Ontario and New York State passed legislation establishing requirements for the handling of sanitary wastes from pleasure boats.

The Buffalo Stream Improvement Project, a corporation formed by five industries on the Buffalo River, began full scale pumping of Buffalo harbor water to each of the industries on February 20, 1967. The corporations' stated purpose of this nine million dollar project is to introduce large quantities of water after use by the indust- r ies into the Buffalo River to provide a more active flow and prevent accumulation of sewage and other wastes in the lower reach of the river. The project was originally suggested and endorsed by of- ficial water pollution control agencies. The industries are committed to introduce 100 mgd of water into the -Buffalo River and currently a re pumping 110 mgd. It is reported that the industries have found water quality better than expected and some may use it for processes which currently use treated City of Buffalo water.

4. Pumps for Buffah River hdUStttes intake into Lake Erie.

There have been statements in the news media that the pumping operations of the project contribute to the flushing out of oil from the Buffalo River. It was coinci- dence that on December 7, 1966, the project was testing some pumps and discharging a maximum of 62 cfs of water during part of the day. This represented approximately 1/100 of the river flow on that date which had increased to 5,800 cfs from 800 cfs on December 6. The flood flow on December 7, flushed out a great quantity o f oil accumulated in the Buffalo River into the Niagara. On March 14, 1967, the Buffalo River flow suddenly increased to 1900 cfs which again flushed out the accumulated oil plus a large quantity of oil accidently spilled to the river by the Pennsylvania Railroad shops. At that time, the cooling water pumpage entering the r iver was 170 cfs which w a c l e s s that 1/10 of the river flow.

It i s obvious that the project pumpage was not the cuase of these flush outs of oil to the Niagara. The only significant effect of the project will occur during the extrem- ely low flow periods. Althoughinvestigation of its effect during low river flow periods has not been completed, some preliminary estimates of the probable effects can be made. The flow from the project is apparently less than needed to counteract the effect of prevailing winds blowing the oil upstream and, therefore, will not prevent accumulation of heavy oil films in the river. The consistent flow from the

project i s expected to reduce the concentrations of other soluble pollutants below the maximums which have occurred during extended periods of negligible flow in the

. past. It i s probable that it will have some nst beneficial effect on the Niagara River as well as on the Buffalo. It will not contribute to the flushing out of oil from the Buffalo River.

The total solution to the municipal and industrial waste problem of the Niagara Falls, New York, area is grossly compli- cated. The present City of Niagara Falls treatment plant handles, with minimum treatment (screening and chlorination), a waste that i s 75% industrial in origin. The plant site is on the wall of the lower Niagara gorge. The cost of a conventional treatment works of expanded size for secondary treatment capabilities would be as- tronomical at the present site. The lack of a suitable alternate site and the existence of deep collecting tunnels requiring an extreme lift to an alternate site further complicates the picture.

Clty of N i a m a Falls, New York sewage treatment plant. This plant only provides screening and disinfection and contains 75 percent industrial wastes.

Interim conferences with the design con- sultant to the city points to several pos- sibilities in this instance.

A separate new secondary treatment plant located on the upper river for a large portion o f the domestic population of the city and surrounding areas is definitely indicated.

A new joint treatment works mainly for the large upper river industries to dis-

'

charge an effluent of usecondaryn quality to the upper river is a possibility to avoid individualized industrial treatment efforts before discharge at multiple outlets.

Pre-treatment of industrial wastes before discharge to the existing diversion sewer is required by New York State.

Pre-treatment of any remaining industrial wastes before discharge to the existing municipal sewer and treatment accomplishing 70% plus reductions at a remodeled plant at the existing site may be proposed. The biochemical oxygen demand (B.O.D.) of the present plant influent and effluent is about 50 mg/l and has very high suspended solids.

Through a combination of the foregoing, an overall reduction of the total pollutional load presently discharged to the Niagara River above and below the falls area will be effected in the 75-95% range required by New York State and in all cases consistent with I. J.C. objectives.

Studies of Lake Erie have shown that the overall lake water i s enriched to the point that the lake is ageing rapidly although the enrichment is much less at the eastern end. Except for this enrichment (one indication is increasing algae problems at swimming beaches) the water from the main body of Lake Erie reaching the head of the Niagara is of excellent quality.

Because of the tremendous Row in the Niagara River, individual wastes with few exceptions cause relatively little identifiable analytical change in the concentration of chemical constituents after dispersal in the water. An example is that the City of Buffalo plant discharges 110,000 lbs/ day of B.O.D. to the river without noticeably reducing the dissolved oxygen concentration in the water. Tremendous quantities of chlorides are introduced into the river, but they only increase the concentration 2 to 3 mg/l from the head of the river to its mouth. Large quantities of the above and many other waste constituents are being introduced into the Niagara without exceeding specific I.J.C. objectives.

17

Recent information shows that there is a change from clean water bottom dwelling biota at the source to ?ollution-tolerant species at the mouth. It is 'known that the fish population and other flora and fauna in the Niagara River have changed over a period of years. Although it is not known to what extent industrial or municipal wastes, surface runoff o r other natural factors contribute to these changes, it is recognized that the municipal and industrial wastes probably play some part in these more subtle changes in the river.

For this and other reasons the water poilution control agencies on both sides of the border are now embarking on programs to reduce or eliminate polluting constituents that can be effectively removed even though the material may not cause a significant recognizable impairment of the river. An example of this is New York State's requirement that all municipalities a re to expiditiously proceed to provide secondary treatment. The same general policy applies to industrial wastes.

L A K E E R / E

NIAGARA RIVER WATER USES & AREAS OF QUESTIONABLE

Figure 2 WATER QUALITY 19

T A B L E 1 MUNICIPAL 8 INDUSTRIAL WASTE SOURCES'

AFFECTING THE NIAGARA RIVER FROM UNITED STATES SOURCES

Oxygeng* O i l or F low Demand Grease Sol ldsgg Other Name (mgd) (Ibs/ day) (Ibs/day) (Ibs/ day) ( IbS/da~)

MUNlClPALlT l ES Buffalo (C) Grand Island SD 1 (T) Grand lsland SD 2 (T) Lewistan (V ) Niagara Fa l l s (C) N iagara University North Tonawanda (C) Tonawanda SD 2 (1 ) Tanawanda (C)

Phasphates Phosphates Phosphates Phosphates Phasphates Phosphates Phosphates Phosphates Phosphates

INDUSTRIES Al l ied Chemical, Buffalo Chem. 13.0 pH5.7-7.0

Cyanide 12; lron 7,350; Phenols 145; Color; Chlorides 96,000; pH 2.5-40 Chlorides 225; pH 6.7-8-.1 Phenols: pH

Al l ied Chemical, Buffalo Dye 14.8

Al l ied Chemical, Petrochemical 4.2 Al l ied Chemical, Semet Solvay x

American Malting x

Ashland O i l 47.5 Bethlehem Steel 350 C orborundum ( 1) 2.4

Phenols; pH Phenols 680; pH 4.0-7.0; Cyanide 950 Phosphates 3; pH 3.5-8.1

Chevrolet 18.1 Phosphates 282; pH 7.4-7.9; Chlorides 755 Toxicity; Color Columbus McKinnon 0.1

Continental Can. Robert Gair 3.0 Donner Hanna 6.0 D uPont. Electrochemicals 9.9

Phenols 115 Chlorides 2,100; pH 3.4-8.1

DuPont, Electrachemicals 32.4 Phosphates; pH 7.6; Chlorides 11,900

DuPont F i lm 8.3 Silicate 42,500; pH 2.6-2.9; Chlorides 3,060

H onno Furnace x

Hooker Chemical, Durer Plast ics x

Hooker Chemical, Electrochem. 23.6 Phenols; pH Chlorides 170,000; pH 7.6-10.9

International Paper, No. Ton. 9.4

L ackawanna (C) Mobil O i l (1)

Phosphates Phenols 379; 7.4-8.0; Chlorides 2,500

N iagara Mohawk Ol in Mathieson Pennsylvania Railroad Shops x Republic Steel 26.5 Rablin Steel (2) x Spaulding Fibre 4.4

pH lron 16,300; Color; pH 3.7-9.5 pH Chlorides 833; pH 6.7-7.7

Phosphates 17; Chlorides 131,000; Alkal ini ty 3,050 Phenol 4; pH; Cyanide 8 Colcium4,780; pH 9.1-1 1.5; Sulfate 4,500; Chlorides 11,000; Alkal ini ty 3,450; Hardness 19,900

Stouffer Chemical 2.0

Tonawanda lron Union Carbide

' Dpes not include bypassing "Oxygen Demand: B-Biochemical Oxygen Demand, CChemical Oxygen Demand

Solids: T-Total Suspen dad and Dissolved, S-Suspended Solids, D-Dissolved Solids ~Suf f i c ion t data no t available for evaluation

(1)Sum o f discharges direct to Niagara River and to diversion sewer (2)pIant has recently startod operation, no data as avai lable

20

PROGRAMS IN EFFECT TO ABATE POL- LUTION IN THE NIAGARA RIVER

New York State

The problem of water pollution has been given top priority by the administration and the people of the State ,of New York.

The program framed to reflect this i s administered by the New York State Health Department for the Water Resources Com- mission of the State and is known a s the "Pure Waters Program".

The main features of the program a r e as follows:

1. With the aid of a $1,000,000,000 bond issue voted by the people of the state in 1965, New York State finances 30% of the cost of new or remodeled sew- e treatment plants and intercepting sewers. The State also prefinances where necessary 30% of the cost of these facilities where they are eligible for Federal grant's and where such monies a r e not immediately available.

2. Industry is encouraged to construct waste water facilities with grants of a tax incentive.

3. Municipalities receive one-third of the cost of the operation and maintenance of waste water treatment plants when operated consistent with design and when control is exercised actively to control discharges to the sewer system.

4. Vigorous enforcement procedures have supplemented the previous drawn-out format which would be inconsistent with the need for rapid abatement scheduling.

All of the dates referred to in the text and tables of this report reflect the ac- celerated scheduling as a result of the new enforcement philosophy.

5. Comprehensive sewage feasibility studies for joint municipal planning are fin- anced 1 0 m by the State of New York.

'6. A "Pure Waters Authorityn has been formed by the State to study, plan, build and operate municipal waste water facili- t ies where communities cannot perform any o r all of these functions and request the Authority to act in any one o r all of these instances.

7 . A state-wide water quality surveillance network has been initiated.

Classifications of Receiving Waters

All surface waters in the State that were previously classified "E* or "FV have been upgraded to a minimum of "DW class and the UE" and "F" classes have been stricken from the classification s y s tem.

The Secretary of the Interior has approved the "Interstate Water Quality, Clas- sifications and Standards and Implemen- tation and Enforcement Plan" of New York State on all basins of interstate waters a s submitted.

New Legislation

Chapter 897, Laws of New York, 1966, provides for regulating the disposal of sewage from water craft and marinas. In administering the law, the New York State Conservation Department will require all

1 applicants for boat registration to indicate - any marine toilet facility and pollutioncon-

trol device. Such treatment devices must meet the approval of the State Health De- partment. While the law became effective in August 1966, the provisions requiring the water pollution control device takes effect June 1, 1968.

Oil Pollution

The oil pollution that has plagued the Buffalo and Niagara Rivers for many years is receiving the attention of a sustained coordinating effort by Federal, State and local agencies. In June of this year, the Pennsylvania Railroad, a major source of oil pollution, agreed to a stipulation to bring an end to the pollution from this source.

Early in April, the State Health Depart- ment called a series of meetings at which time the responsibility of various agencies was defined. Assignments were made so that each agency's activities supported those of other agencies. Included in these dis- cussions were the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, U.S. Corps of En- gineers, the U.S. Coast Guard, represen- tatives of local industries and local government, the Niagara Frontier Port Authority, the Buffalo City Fire Prevention Bureau, the Erie County Health Department, Buf- falo Sewer Authority, the State Conserva- tion Department, and the Federal Depart- ment of Justice. The Regional Office of the New York State Department of Health acts as the coordinator of all reported oil problem investigations. An alerting system has been developed and its listing kept current for any and all oil and other spills which could affect downstream users.

The State Joint Legislative Committee on Water Resources conducted a report- conference with the State Health Depart- ment on May 24, 1967, to see if more legislation is needed to speed and improve handling of any future oil pollution. This conference did much to clarify and define lines of responsibility for necessary physical clean-up conditions resulting from gross oil pollution.

Two significant problems associated with oil pollution were developed at the Joint Health Department and Joint Legislative Committee meeting. These are:

1. The fact that there i s no clear-cut responsibility for clean-up after an oil pollution incident, and

2. The lack of a way to assess a penalty in proportion to the cost of clean-up.

The Joint Legislative Committee i s study- ing the legislative changes required to fix responsibility and assess proper penalties.

The "Pure Waters Program" on the Niagara River

reflect the timetables for the completion of the abatement works in each instance. The locations of these municipal sewage treatment plants and the industries are shown in Figures 3 and 4.

~t i s to be noted that virtually all municipalities have taken steps toward providing usecondary" facilities for waste water treatment a s required by state-wide policy, Year-round chlorination is also required at all municipal plants.

All industries which discharge to the river will be required to provide treatment of effluents consistent with I. J.C. criteria. In addition such treatment as proposed must be equivalent to conventional us::~ondary" treatment. This is in the interest of up- grading existing water quality beyond presently assigned standards.

New York State has defined secondary treatment for such industrial wastes as "a process o r group of processes removing o r capable of removing virtually a11 (ie. greater than 95%) floatable or settleable solids in a raw waste and ac- complish removals of B.O.D. and suspended solids in the range 75-9510

In addition, industrial plants must improve practices for the segregation and treatment of wastes to effect maximum reduction of the following:

a. acids and alkalis h. oil and tarry substances c . phenolic compounds and organic chem-

icals that contribute to taste and odor problems

d. ammonia and other nitrogenous compounds

e. phosphorus compounds f. toxic and highly colored wastes g. excessive heat h. foam producing discharges i . other wastes which detract from re-

creational uses, esthetic enjoyment. o r other beneficial uses of the waters.

Tables 2 and 3 listing the municipal and industrial discharges to the Niagara River 1 22

Unfortunately, it is not feasible to establish a specific percentage reduction or other definite limiting value that can be generally applied to the above constituents for the many varied kinds of industrial waste waters and various conditions of discharge. Each individual industrial waste problem must be thoroughly studied and evaluated to develop the appropriate degree of reduction o r treatment for the speclfic situation.

The term umaximum reduction" may be interpreted to mean that in all cases technically possible, the constituents will be reduced sufficiently to prevent any identifiable interference with any appropriate use of the receiving water. Furthermore, all constituents present in significant quantities must be reduced to the extent possible by the best available treatment or other means appropriate for the specific waste.

TABLE 2 MUNICIPAL WASTE DISCHARGES INTO THE NIACARA RIVER

FROM UNITED STATES SOURCES

'ED

-

Table Explanation (Tables 2 and 3)

Location - municipal sulxlivision location of non-municipal entities. ('I') - Town, (V) - Village, (C) - City

Pop. o r Flow - 1960 census population of community if known, residency and employment of institution, o r industrial waste flow of corporation.

Abatement Status (as of 6/1/67):

A - Under Commissioner's Orders

B - Hearing noticed to establish Commissioner's Order

C - Hearing to be noticed during 1967

D - Unclein Department directive (voluntary compliance)

1 - Identified 2 - Initial conference held 3 - Schedule established 4 - Solution established via preliminary report approval (including special study) 5 - Final plans submitted and approved 6 - Under construction 7 - Completion of construction, installation of facilities o r internal modifications 8 - Abatement partially achieved 9 - A1)atement achieved

Ordered construction completion - completion date of needed construction, established by Commissioner's Order

Voluntary construction completion - completion date of needed construction, established by Department dil.ective 4/1/72 (expiration date of State grant program) indicates 1;ltest possible date; negotiations underway to establish finite schedule.

I

ADOITONAL TREATYENT REOWWID-m) F m ORDER ISSUED.

nM)ITIONAL TREATMENT R E M D - Y W O I U T Y + PROCEEDW6 WLUNTARYY.

ADDITIONAL TREATMfNT R E ~ D - C ~ Y ~ WITH A FORMAL ORD€R.

V l U a 6 0 of Ierlmtao City Of 1 1 ~ Palla Sbva or Crmnd Imluid 8.0. #2 City Of llorth Tmmnnda City of Tanammad. T- or -. SIF m T- of 0-d xaimd B.D. n wltruo 8mr *uthmiw City of - ?ore lm. VlU.6 of ChiPwU I i u u m wcw Rd. atmu4 Am.

SCALE N Y l l t S 1 . - - - 1 0 1 2 3 4 3 :

MUNICIPAL WASTE DISCHARGES INTO THE NIAOARA RIVER -

suesTANT1.L CorPuuru 2 6 Figure 3

T A B L E 3 INDUSTRIAL - INST ITUTIONAL WASTE

DISCHARGES INTO T H E N IAGARA RIVER FROM U N I T E D STATES SOURCES

V O L U N T A R Y O R O R D E R E D ABATEMENT TIME SCHEDULE

VOLUME O F ABATEMENT SUBMIT SUBMIT CHARACTERISTICS DISCHARGE STATUS CODE P R E L I M F I N A L START COMP. COMMENTS

WASTE SOURCE MAP INDEX O F DISCHARGE ( ~ 6 ~ 1 P L A N S PLANS CONST. CONST.

Stouffer Chemical 1 Solids, acids, 2.0 a lka l is

Niogoro Un ivers i ty 2 Secondary .005

Carborundum

O l i n Mathieson

DuPont, Electro-Chemical 5

Hooker Chemical, Electro-Chemical

Un ion Carbide

Solids

Solids

Oi l , Solids, COD 43.4'

Acid, solids, COD, 23.6 odor

Solids, a lka l is

Scheduled for a conference by Stote Heo l th Dept.

Proposal to i ns ta l l ind iv idua l treatment un i t postponed. Un ivers i ty pet i t ioned the C i t y of Niagara Fa l l s t o treot sanitary waste as requested by Stote Heal th Dept.

1/2/68 1/2/69 4/1/69 4/1/70 Prel iminary studies of their wastes have been discussed wi th the Stote Hea l th Dept. Addi t ional industr ia l wastes are discharged through a

d ivers ion sewer (1/65 mgd) and the municipal sanitary sewer system.

Out fo l ls - A-4 Areo 4 6/1/67 1 1 1/68

Areo 2 1/1/67 1/1/67 Area 3 6/1/67 6/1/67 F-28 6/1/67 10/1/67

' Less than 0.5 mgd i s discharged t o

G i l l Creek. Industr ia l wastes are a lso discharged to a d ivers ion sewer and. the municipal sanitary sewer system.

' F l o w volumes include discharge t o G i l l Creek. Add i t iona l industr ia l wostes are discharged through a

d ivers ion sewer and the municipul sani tory sewer system.

1/1/69 T h e indust r ia l wastes ore a lso

6/1/67 discharged through a d ivers ion 6/1/67 sewer . w i t h fo l lowing abatement

1/69 schedule - Submit report 8/1/67, F i n a l plans 3/1/68. Comple te con. s t ruc t ion 8/1/68. Add i t i ona l indus- trio1 wastes d l r c h o r ~ e d to sonitury sewer.

Add i t i ona l treatment f ac i l i t i es were

approved on 4/9/65. R iver out fa l l plume under oc t ive study for chenri- c a l treatment or diffuser.

V O L U N T A R Y O R O R D E R E D ABATEMENT T IME SCHEDULE


WASTE SOURCE MAP INDEX O F DISCHARGE (MGD) P L A N S P L A N S CONST. CONST.

Tonowonda I ron 8 Sol ids Scheduled for o conference by Stote Heo l th Dept.

Hooker Chemica l 9 Phenols

Durez P l a s t i c I n i t i a l conference held. An obote- ment schedule t o be negotiated.

In ternat iona l Poper Co. 10 Solids, 800 An abatement schedule for a

d ivers ion sewer to the municipol STP has been submit ter as fol lows: Submittedplons 3/1/67,Construction 7/1/67, Complete construct ion 1/1/68. Hove soveo l ls in operation ond woste recovery ond defoom effluent.

1/1/70 Prel iminor report submitted and re- v iewed o n i resubmit ted to the firm's consul tants for correction.

T o x i c s

A-3 6/1/67 1/1/68 3/1/68 1/1/69 Prel iminary plans submitted. Stote requests rev is ion t o meet speci f ic course o f action.

Cont inental C o n Company 12 Solids, BOD 3

A-3 6/1/67 3/1/68 9/1/68 1/1/70 H o v e s a v e o l l s in o p e r o t i o n . Spoulding F ib re 13

Western E lec t r i c 14

Solids, BOD, color 4

O i l & extroctobles 1.2' * F l o w t o Two M i l e Creek. Minor omount of woste wire d rok ing o i l s discharged to sani tary sewers. Regionol Of f ice recommended the co l lec t ion ond d isposa l o f o i l by approved methods.

A-3 12/1/67 6/1/68 9/1/68 9/1/69 01 present, o i l separation ot l e s s than acceptable ef f ic iencies. Ashlond O i l 8 Ref. Co. Oi ls , phenol

N o t in production. Has been advised o f needs before startup.

Rob l i n Steel

Coke plant wostes, 5.5 phenol

l n i t i o l conference held. Abotemenl schedule t o be negotiated.

A l l i e d C h emico l Semet Solvoy

The i r indust r ia l discharge hos no adverse a f fec t on the River.

A l l i e d Chemica l Coo l ing Woter 4.2

S c h e d u l e d for c o n f e r e n c e F o o d Machinery Gorp.

Niagoro Mohowk Corp.

Min imal d i sso l ved so l i ds Poss ib le thermol po l lu t ion

Scheduled for o conference by the Stote Hea l th Dept. Hove f lyash re-

movols ond disposal.

VOLUNTARY O R O R D E R E D ABATEMENT TIME SCHEDULE


WASTE SOURCE MAP INDEX O F DISCHARGE ( ~ 6 ~ 1 P L A N S PLANS CONST. CONST.

D u P o n t - Yerkes P lon t 19 Solids 8.3 D - 2 P lan t runs streom recovery surveys yearly. N o abatement s c h e d u l e . Scheduled for conference by Stote Hea l th Department.

Recent inspect ion indicated s a t i s -

9/21/64 5/1/65 factory performance of ex i s t i ng fac i l i t ies . (Avg. o i l discharge- 6 P P ~ ) .

Chevro le t D i v i s i o n Ge n era1 Motors

Sl ight o i l s l i ck 18.1 at out fa l l

Abated

B y 10/69 a l l indust r ia l and sanitary 10/67 10/69 waste w i l l be diverted in to the

Buf fa lo Sewer Author i ty system. Present ly construct ing in plant reparotion.

Pra t t 1L Letchwor th Oi l , c a u s t i c woste .03

Discharge sanitary waste to Buf fa lo Ship Canal. P lanned interceptor of Buf fa lo Sewer A u t h o r i t y w i l ' l el iminate.

Sanitary wastes .OS G e n e r a l M i l l s none

Discharge to Un ion Ship Canal. Planned interceptor o f Buffalo Sewer Author i ty w i l l el iminate.

P i l l sbu ry

Ame r ican Ma l t i ng

Sanitary wastes .08 none

Wastes to be accepted by the Buf fa lo Sewer Author i ty in new plonned interceptor.

Sanitary and mal t ing waste

Present phenol recovery ef f ic ient 10'1/68 3/1/69 12/1/69 needs removal o f phenols from

DO n ner-Ha nna Phenols, o i l

miscel laneous waste streams.

A l l i e d Chemica l Buf fa lo Dye

Acids, o i l , phenols, 17.0 COD, color

Sol ids

7/1/66 9/1/66 1/18/68 1/1/71 Complying w i t h schedule. In opera- t ion at present - pH adiustment

A-3 On schedule - at present have 10/1/67 1/1/68 4/1/69 7/1/71 minimal sedimentat ion - recovery

so l ids and oil.

Republ ic Steel Acids, solids, 71.0 o i l

10./1/67 4/1/68 12/1/69 Fino1 p lans present ly under pre- paration. Scheduled to obandon processing.

Mo b i l O i l Oi l , phenols 25

Solids, heated 4 1 w o s t e

Havu sc t t l ing and v o c u u r ~ i f i l t r u t i o : ~ .

to w

Bethlehem Steel Corp. Phenol, solids, 330 <ztiinlonio, acids, n 0 1

1/1/67 1/1/68 6/1/68 1/1/70 Industry i s complying wi th order.

n D m Y - :xSTImIOM

Jam S T A m 1 Stauf ier Chemical 2 Miwara Uni=rmitj 3 Cuborundrn 4 Olin Hathieson 5 W o n t . Electm-Chericrl 6 Booker C h d c a l . E l e c t m - ~ h c r i ~ r l 7 Union Carbide 8 Iran 9 Booker Chenical. h r P l u t i e

10 1nternmtion.l Paper Co. ll Col\nbua-(W(i~on L? Continental Can Co. 1 3 Spaulding Pibre lb Western Elect r ic 1 5 b h l u ~ d 011 i Refinery Co. 16 Roblin S tee l 16 Allied Chcrical, Semet S o l w 17 N l i e d Chemical, Pe tm C h a c d 1 8 rood Machinery Corporation 1 8 I l i r g u a Mohawk Corporation 19 W o n t Yerkea P l m t 19 Cherrolet D i r . General &tom 20 P ra t t i Letehwrth 21 Genernl M U a 22 Pillsbur).

Aar1c.n Ualting Inc. knner-0.nna N l i e d Chenicrl. Buffalo ~ y c Republic Steel .%bil O i l

2 ? !?,a Rvnnce 20 Sethlehea S tee l Corporation

CAlIADA A Yarbor Manufacturing 3 b u l d Rational Batteries " - C.R.R. Depot D C ~ r a m l d ( I l l q u a ) E Morton Co.

I

L E G E N D

ADDITIONAL TREATMENT REOUIRED-NO FORMAL SCALE !N MILES

ORDER ISSUED. 1 1 - - - O i i 4 5 5

ADDITIONAL TREATMENT REOUIRED - PROCEEDhlG + VOLUNTARILY.

ADDITIONAL TREATMENT REOUIRED - COMPLYING INDUSTRIAL -lNSTlTUTlONAL WITH A FORMAL ORDER. WASTE DISCHARGES INTO SIJBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE THE NIAGARA RIVER

30 Figure 4

. Operation .4nd Maintenance

The use of the aid to operation ahd maintenance has already been used con- structively control adverse discharges.

Sorth Tonawanda, to insure the grant, excluded a major source of waste oil from its sewer system.

The City of Buffalo Sewer Authority in- ventories the sources of oil wastes to its collection system to identify potential sources of oil in the River during storm flows.

A l l municipalities have adopted enfor- ceable, rigid sewer use ordinances.

Comprehensive Studies

Erie County and the Niagara Falls me- tropolitan area have received State fun- ded comprehensive sewage feasibility study grants.

Interim reports have been rendered by the engineering consultants on areas of most need.

The provincial attitude of each political entity treating its own wastes has been replaced by a drainage basin approach and centralized treatment plants servingdrain- age basins are assured a s a result of these studies.

Water Quality Monitoring

Eight water quality monitoring points on the Xiagara River have been integrated into the state-wide network.

Province of Ontario

(1) New Policies

Water Quality Objectives

Recently, the Ontario Water Resources Commission (O.W.R.C.) announced a new policy regarding water quality objectives for lakes and streams in Ontario. This will require the restoration and maintenance of water quality for the greatest possible use.

! In general, waste effluent requirements will ' be established, taking account of beneficial

uses of water and the quality requirements of these uses. .A broad set of basic objectives will be established to apply to all waters of the province, however, where required, depending upon use, more stringent objectives may be established for specific drainage basins o r drainage areas. These objectives will be examined periodically a s new information and conditions develop concerning the effects of wastes on the enviornment. It is the Com- mission's objective to require the best practicable treatment or control of waste, adequate to protect and upgrade water quality in the face of population growth and industrial development.

Waste sources from municipalities and industries along the Niagara River will be examined in the light of this new policy and the future recommendations of the International Joint Commission, and where further improvements are required, the OWRC will take the necessary action to ensure compliance with the revised objectives.The status of municipal and industr ial waste abatement is shown in Table 4.

Assistance to Municipalities

In June , 1967, the Ontario government extended its policy in providing assistance to municipalities in the provision of adequate water and sewage facilities. The new policy enables a municipality to seek provincial assistance for the entire installation of water and sewage facilities up to the house connections. Previously, assistance was only available for the construction and operation of the major facilities, including water treatment and sewage disposal plants with costs recovered on a usage basis. The plants are operated at cost and a re the property of the province.

(2) Enforcement Programs

In cases where pollution abatement needs a r e demonstrated by the Commission, its requirements, and if necessary, a time schedule for compliance is established by the Commission. In the case of the muni-

T A B L E 4 MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE DISCHARGES - NIAGARA RIVER

PROVINCE O F ONTARIO

W A S T E C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S

MOP Degree Choracteristics Volume Total Suspended Waste Source Index o f Treatment of Discharge o f Discharge 'OD Solids Solids

(MGD) lbs/dOy I bs/dov I ~ S / ~ O V Other

A batemen t Status

MUNICIPAL

Fort Erie (T) A Primary Sanitary, lndustriol 1.5 1900 - 5500 - No further t r e o t m e n t planned ot present.

Chippawo (V) B Secondary Sonitary, lndustriol 0.3 90 - 220 - Secondary treatment instolled 1957.

Niogora Fol ls (C) C Primary Sanitary, Industrial 3.6 2600 - 1400 -

McLeod Rd. C Settl ing Sanitary Settling Tank 1

Stanley Ave. C Settling Tank 2

INDUSTRIAL

Harber Manufacturing A (Plating. Finishing)

Gould Notional Battery B (Battery Products)

Conodion National C

Railways (Rol l ing stock

Service 6 Repair

Cyonamid of Canada D (Heavy Chemical)

Norton Company E (Abrosives)

Settl ing Sanitary

No further t r e a t m e n t planned at present.

Planned interception and connection with c i ty sewerage system.

- - - - - Some as above.

CHARACTERISTICS OF DISCHARGE

Wostss adequately handled 0.006 - - - -

Solids, Lead, Acid 0.016 - 9 3 39- Leod 5-SO#/D

COD 48#/D

O i l (Oi l seporator) 0.00 1 - - - O i l

Cooling Water

Coaling Water

Substontiol compliance

Plons for neutrolization and settl ing to remove lead approved

Substontiol compliance

Substantial compliance

Substantial compliance

* cipalities and industries along the Niagara River, with very few exceptions the OWRC 's current objectives a r e being met. These objectives coincide with the I.J.C. Ob- jectives for Boundary Water Quality Con- trol.

(3) Surveillance on the River

In addition to its regular inventory and water use evaluation programs, the Com- mission maintains regular surveillance pa- trols on the upper and lower Niagara River. During 1967, this work will entail four sampling runs on the upper river and seven runs in the lower river. Sampling is carried out at the following Niagara River Ranges: N i 37.7, N i 34.3, Ni 32.5, N i 26.7, N i 20.0, N i 19.4, N i 19.3, N i 6.8, N i 2.4, and N i 1.0.

(4) Boating Regulations

A regulation approved under the OWRC Act provides that any pleasure boat with sleeping accommodations and owned by an Ontario resident must be equipped with a marine toilet and an approved device for the storage and disposal of human waste. The regulations, to take effect June lst , 1968, allow for temporary permits valid only to June ls t , 1971, obtainable from the Commission. Holding tanks which store wastes are the only type of devices presently approved by the Commission. Mac- erator chlorinator units o r other units which may be developed to meet the objectives of the regulations may be acceptable, and only by permit between June 1st. 1968 and June ls t , 1971. Out of the province craft in Ontario waters must be equipped with holding or treatment devices approved by home jurisdiction, The discharge of un- treated sewage is prohibited.

( 5 ) Pollution Problems of the Xiagara River

Current Status of Compliance with I.J.C. Objectives

With the exception of a plating and finishing plant in Fort Erie, the sources of wastewater discharged directly to the Nia- gara River fromontario, municipalities and

industries a r e in substantial compliance with the Objectives for Boundary Water Quality Control.

Two temporary settling tanks operated by the City of Niagara Falls discharge settled sewage to the Chippawa power canal diversion, however, the City has indicated its intention to intercept and treat these wastes at its main plant. The scheduling of this work is under review.

The Welland River (540 cfs) carries signi- f icant quantities of iron, phenol and nitrates at i t s point of confluence with the Chip- pawa power canal. These materials, which are rapidly attenuated in the power canal (16,000 cfs) a r e contributed by the City of Welland and neighboring industries upstream. Improvement in the situation is expected by January, 1968 when the City will complete construction of a 6.0 mgd primary sewage treatment plant.

(6) Overall Abatement Program and Ob- jectives - Ontario

Need for Higher Objectives

It is Commission policy to re-examine its water quality objectives from time to time a s new information and conditions develop. Objectives are,therefore, not con- sidered final o r absolute as increases in scientific knowledge of the effects of waste on the environment will inevitably require their improvement. With the increasing -

use of water, improved and advanced waste treatment measures will be rqu i red to protect the water quality requirements of beneficial uses. Meaningful long term plans for pollution control will require the ap- plication of systematic methods of analysis to develop designs and alternatives for the best use of water.

Federal Water Pollutio~l Control Administration

The Federal Government of the United States through the Federal Water Pollu- tion Control Administration ( FWPCA) is actively engaged in abating water pollution in the Niagara River. The duties of the F.W.P.C.A. in these activities and programs follows:

(1) Administers grants for basin planning, training, research demonstration projects, construction of sewage plants, and for state and interstate water poilution control programs.

(2) Through Executive Order 11288, enforces control of pollution from all Fed- eral installations and in projects where Federal monies a re expended.

(3) Enforces compliance with interstate stream standards.

(4) Establishes comprehensive programs for water pollution control.

(5) Works through the Lake Erie En- forcement Conference to abate pollution flowing into the Niagara River from upstream sources, although the Niagara River is not covered under the Lake Erie Enforcement Conference o r other Federal enforcement action at this time.

(6 ) Assists the U.S. Corps of Engineers in carrying out the 1899 Refuse Act in relation to oil spills and other de- leterious materials.

( 7 ) Works with the U.S. Corps of Engin- eers to abate any pollution which may be caused through harbor and channel dredging operations.

(8) Assists the U.S. Coast Guard in en- forcing sanitary and oil pollution control.

M E D I A N 0 MAXIMUM

m 1!8, 4000 MEDIAN and MAXIMUM COLIFORM DENSITIB

N I A G A R A R I V E R - 1 9 6 6

SG;LES: HORIZONTAL - I N F E E T FROM ALYRICW %ORE AS INDICATED

VERTICAL - COLIFORY, M F PER 100 M I , A S INDICATED

0 leOO 0 loo0 1800

MEDIAN and MAXIMUM COLIFORM DENSITIES

N I A G A R A R I V E R - 1 9 6 6

DATA UNACCEPTABLE.

MEDIAN 0 W X I n M

SCALES: HORIZONTAL - IN FEET FROM AMERICAN SHORE AS INDICATED

VERTICAL - COLI FORM, M F PER 100 M I , AS INDICATED.

MEDIAN and MAXIMUM COLIFORM DENSITIES ,

N I A G A R A R I V E R - 1 9 6 7 *

SCALES: HORIZONTAL - I N FEET FROM AMERICAN %ORE AS INDICATED

VERTICAL - COLIFORM, M F PER 100 M I , AS INDICATED

38 *DATA AVAl LABLE F'R lOR TO AUGUST

(3 SAMPLE SERIES)

0 1 .B. lm 0 lax3 1800

MEDIAN and MAXIMUM COLIFO RM DENSITIES

N I A G A R A R I V E R - 1 9 6 7 *

SCALES: HORIZONTAL - I N FEET FROM AMERICAN S O R E A$ INDICATED

VERTICAL - COLIFORM, M F PER 100 M I , AS INDICATED.

MEDIAN 0 M A X I M l M

* DATA AVAILABLE PRIOR TO AUGUST

(3 SMPU SERIES) 39

0 2000 1.0. 4000 Sal I

AVERAGE and MAXIMUM PHENOL CONCENTRATIONS.

I 0 1.0. loo0 1800 0 IOOO 2000 3300 3600

15 . RANGE NI 32.5 -

N I A G A R A R I V E R - 1 9 6 6

10

SCALES: HORIZONTAL - IN FEET FRcu AMERICAN SHORE AS INDICATED

VERTICAL - h+ENOL, PARTS PER BILLION, AS INDICATED.

AVERAGE 0 MAXlWUM

,

r

5 n .-

1 n n

I

I AVERAGE 0 MAXIUW

0 1 0. lm 0 loo0 I800 AVERAGE and MAXIMUM PHENOL CONCENTRATIONS

N I A G A R A R I V E R - ( 9 6 6

SCALES: HORIZONTAL - I N FEET FROM b w lclwr SORE AS INDICATED

VERTICAL - PHENOL, PARTS P€R BILLION, AS INDICATED

0 1.0, lo00 1800 0 2000 3800

RANGE N I 32.5

0 I

1.8. 12000

AVERAGE 0 MAXIWM

- - - -

AVERAGE and MAXIMUM PHENOL CONCENTRATIONS

5

2

RANGF N I 19-3

S ~ L E S : HORIZONTAL - IN FEET FRCU AMERICAN SHORE AS INDICATED

VERTICAL - hENOL, PARTS PER BILLION, AS INDICATED.

10 10 .

5 5 5

r ,-

7

7

2 2

I T 1

---------.----.-----,,-..., -

4 ., cr.

15 RANGE N1 - 26-7

I0

I

2 loo 0 loo0 o 1.8. 1000 2400

15 BANG&- 15 RANGE - N I - 6.8

I0 . 10 -

5 . 5 t

1900

AVERAGE MAXIMUM

0 leOO

AVERAGE and MAXIMUM PHENOL CONCENTRATIONS

N I A G A R A R I V E R - 1 9 6 7 * 8 DATA AVA l U B L E PR l OR TO AUGUST

SCC\LES: HORIZONTAL - I N FEET F R W ~ R I C A N %Oft€ As INDICATED (3 SAMPLE SERIES) VERTICAL - PHENOL, PARTS PER BILL ION, AS INDICATED. 43

i a report pollution the.. niagara river · in the buffalo river causing serious tem- porary...

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