Sewage Pollution in the Hudson River

Access to clean water is essential for public health, yet urban environments such as West Harlem face microbial contamination risks from combined sewage overflows (CSOs) and wastewater discharge. This study assessed water quality at three locations in West Harlem—a CSO outflow, a wastewater treatment plant (WTP), and an intermediate site (the Baylander)—by quantifying the Most Probable Number (MPN) of total coliforms and Escherichia coli (E. coli) using the IDEXX Colilert method, an EPA-approved assay for detecting fecal indicator bacteria.

We hypothesized that samples collected near the CSO and WTP would exhibit higher MPN values than those collected at the Baylander due to untreated or partially treated wastewater inputs. Results partly supported this hypothesis: the Baylander exhibited the highest overall coliform counts but relatively low E. coli concentrations, while the WTP showed fewer total coliforms yet a higher proportion of E. coli. The CSO results generally fell between the two, potentially reflecting variability introduced by precipitation and tidal influences.

While the data were not statistically significant, they highlight complex spatial patterns of contamination and underscore the need for more controlled, repeated sampling. Future work should emphasize stricter sterilization protocols and account for weather variability to generate more representative results. This research contributes to understanding microbial water quality in underserved urban communities and provides insights for improving monitoring strategies to protect public and environmental health.