NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — Clean-up operations are underway in the Bronx River after Con Edison announced that an estimated 1,000 gallons of insulating fluid, similar to mineral oil, leaked last week from a transmission feeder into the waterway.
There have not yet been any reports of health or environmental concerns regarding the dielectric fluid, which is described as a non-hazardous insulating fluid, Con Edison said.
On April 1, the liquid leaked from an underground feeder line into a storm drain that has an outfall at Nereid Avenue in Yonkers, which is on the Bronx River.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Spills Response experts responded to the scene and oversaw efforts by Con Edison contractors to deploy seven fluid-absorbent booms, which the energy company said should prevent any significant amount of fluid from moving south.
Booms were placed in different locations across the river from McLean Avenue in Yonkers to Fordham Road in the Bronx. One boom was installed by the Bronx Zoo, and more were placed in the areas north of the New York Botanical Gardens.
The DEC is directing the clean-up operation, which will continue through the weekend with a focus on removing debris that has accumulated behind the booms.
Delays in clean-up activities were caused by recent storms, meaning the operation is still well underway. It is unclear when clean-up operations will be complete.
Despite the current lack of health or environmental impacts, Bronx residents that live near the river have said that the water stinks.