Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Niagara Falls water has turned black and is emitting a foul odor

New York Governor suggests incident is violation of water quality standards and asks state regulators to investigate 

Chloe Farand
Tuesday 01 August 2017 11:28 EDT
Comments
Niagara Falls turns black with a foul-smelling cloud of discharge

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A foul-smelling black cloud of wastewater discharge appeared at the base of the Niagara Falls, initially prompting fears of an oil leak.

Seeping out near the dock where the popular Maid of the Mist boat tour of the renowned waterfalls operates from, it could be clearly seen from the cliff faces above the Niagara River, on both the Canadian and American side of the border.

Dismissing fears of an oil leak, officials said the colour caused by residue from black carbon filters which are used to clean the water.

It followed a maintenance operation at a local wastewater treatment plant, they said.

Pat Proctor, vice president for Rainbow Air Inc, which provides helicopter tours over the falls, was among the first to notice the black stain quickly colouring the water.

"I was just praying it wasn't an oil leak," he told the Buffalo News. "It looked like something out of a sci-fi movie."

In a statement, the Niagara Falls Water Board apologised for causing alarm.

It said: "The 'inky water' was the result of "a routine, necessary, and short term change in the waste water treatment process" at the plant, around four miles from the falls.

The board added that the water discharged contained some accumulated solids and carbon residue which were within permitted limits and did not include any organic type oils or solvents and that the smell would be limited to normal sewer water discharge.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo nonetheless asked state regulators to investigate the wastewater discharges.

He announced that the city of Niagara Falls may have violated state water quality standards and that the Department of Environmental Conservation would be conducting the investigation.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in