Check Sewage Alerts Before Paddling After Rain

A rainstorm does not make every creek or harbor unsafe, but it is a cue to check before paddling, fishing, or letting kids play near an outfall. NY-Alert is the notification tool for municipalities to report recent sewage discharges to DEC, the State Health Department, and the public.

Alerts from the past seven days can help people decide where to recreate on waterbodies. Publicly owned treatment works and sewer systems must report untreated or partially treated discharges quickly, and public notice follows.

Look at the county alert, the affected waterbody, and any local health notice before going. Read this as a normal rainy-day habit, not a reason to give up on the water. New York has wonderful creeks, rivers, bays, and harbors; the official alert just helps decide whether today is a paddle day, a shore-walk day, or a wait-and-check-again day.

That is especially helpful around city harbors, older sewer systems, and small creeks after a hard storm. The same place can be lovely on a dry week and worth a little caution after heavy rain.