NWQMC 2006 Conference The Regional Bypass Workgroup A Successful Application of Water Quality Prediction and Interagency Communication Peter Sattler Interstate Environmental Commission Charles Dujardin HydroQual, Inc. May 9, 2006

Regional Bypass Workgroup – NY/NJ/CT Overview 1997 Planned and Unplanned Discharges Causes Regional Concern 1997 Planned and Unplanned Discharges Causes Regional Concern Lack of Tri-State Communication is Evident Lack of Tri-State Communication is Evident Lack of Predictive Tool is Evident Lack of Predictive Tool is Evident Regional Bypass Workgroup is Formed Regional Bypass Workgroup is Formed Establish Communication Protocol Develop Predictive Tool to Assess Conditions

Regional Events of Concern Planned Bypass at Manhattan Pumping Station Planned Bypass at Manhattan Pumping Station Scheduled for four 150 MGD NY & NJ Governors battle “Hearings” go on for months Pipeline Leak at City Island Pipeline Leak at City Island NYC Closes Orchard Beach Westchester County Closes Beaches NYC “Throgs Neck” Pumping Station Bypass NYC “Throgs Neck” Pumping Station Bypass Precautionary Closure at Orchard Beach Westchester County Closes Beaches Connecticut Closes Beaches

Regional Incidents NY/NJ/CT Interstate Waters

Communication Begins July ‘97 meeting in Tarrytown NY July ‘97 meeting in Tarrytown NY Attendees ( ~30) include Tri-state Regulators and Dischargers Frank Discussions Regional Bypass Workgroup Established Regional Bypass Workgroup Established Communication & Notification Development of Predictive Tool

6 Regional Bypass Workgroup Participants Wastewater Administration Wastewater Administration NYS DEC NJ DEP CT DEP IECEPA NYC DEP USCG Consultant Consultant HydroQual, Inc. Shellfish & Health Shellfish & Health NYS DEC NYS DOH NJ DEP FDA NYC DOH Nassau Co HD Westchester Co HD Rockland Co HD Suffolk Co HD NPS

7 Communication and Notification Unplanned Discharge NYSDEC Notification IEC Oversight States NJ/CT City Health County Health Beach Operators State Shellfish Federal Agencies EPA, FDA Coast Guard Note: All Parties Can Execute Modeling Tool

Model Development Considerations Parameters of concern Parameters of concern Total/Fecal Coliform Enterococci Water bodies: Water bodies: NY-NJ Harbor Long Island Sound Atlantic Ocean (NJ Coast) Variables: Variables: Temperature, Hydrodynamics Duration, Quantity & Quality of Discharge

9 Regional Bypass Program Discharge Characterization Specifications Discharge Characterization Specifications Select Discharge Location Volume (MG) Concentration Water Temperature View Results View Results Choose Threshold Conc. (Optional) View area-wide results Select Receptor Site Location View Temporal Profile

HydroQual, Inc. Discharge Sites; Hunts Point Discharge

HydroQual, Inc. Options Menu

HydroQual, Inc. Receptor Sites, Hunts Point Discharge, Threshold at 70 MPN

HydroQual, Inc. Hunts Point Discharge - Response at Rockaway Shores

HydroQual, Inc. June 28, 1997 Throgs Neck Spill, Threshold at 2400 MPN

HydroQual, Inc. June 28, 1997 Throgs Neck Spill, Response at Orchard Beach

HydroQual, Inc. June 28, 1997 Throgs Neck Spill

HydroQual, Inc. June 28, 1997 Throgs Neck Spill, Response at Stamford, CT

18 Summary – A Success Story Communication and Notifications Are Established Communication and Notifications Are Established Excellent Inter-agency, Inter-state Co-operation Periodic Regional Bypass Workgroup Meetings Held at IEC Discuss Yearly Findings Discuss Possible Improvements – Communications/Model Upgrades The June 1997 Westchester, Connecticut Beach Closures Would Not Have Occurred With Regional Bypass Program The June 1997 Westchester, Connecticut Beach Closures Would Not Have Occurred With Regional Bypass Program The Program Has Been Used Successfully Since 1998 The Program Has Been Used Successfully Since 1998 No Unnecessary Beach Closures