'Third World Conditions' Found by Environmentalist On Sewer Tour

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Nobody expects to find much to be happy about in the sewers, but what a group of civic leaders, environmentalists and social justice advocates found under the streets of Mount Vernon should trouble us all.

The city of Mount Vernon pit its mounting sewage crisis on center stage Monday when hosting environmentalist Catherine Coleman Flowers on a tour of its infamous sewage system. Flowers is the author of Waste: One Woman’s Fight Against America’s Dirty Secret.

Flowers is also the Founder of the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice (CREEJ), a 2020 MacArthur fellow and serves as Vice Chair on the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. She took the eye-opening tour, accompanied by Interim President of the Natural Resource Defense Council Mitch Bernard, Aclima CEO Davida Herzl and Professor and Engineer from Columbia University, Kartik Chandran.

“I never thought that I would see what is akin to third-world sanitation conditions north of the Mason-Dixon line," Flowers said following the tour. "I’ve seen the Army Corps of Engineers rebuild sanitary systems in Afghanistan and other places and I want to know why can’t they do that in Mount Vernon. I’ve been to New York many times and was shocked to see that 20 minutes away from New York City, third-world conditions are impacting this city."

The tour included a chance to speak with affected residents Linda McNeil and Eileen Lambert who related that sewage issues have nearly destroyed their homes. Over the past three years, the city of Mount Vernon has experienced approximately 900 sewer backups impacting 1,000 households, according to city officials.

"An antiquated sewage system compounded by years of neglect by past city leaders precipitated the current crisis," Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said in remarks following the tour. "Our city now struggles with failing sanitary and stormwater networks in violation of EPA quality standards that endanger the health and quality of life of our largely African-American and economically disadvantaged residents."

Department of Public Works Commissioner Damani Bush gave to the dignitaries a blow-by-blow recap of the events that led to the city's sewer system to nearly collapse. He detailed his views on a deteriorating infrastructure, a lack of funding and resources and impending EPA/DEC consent decrees.

With approximately 997,920 linear feet of sewer infrastructure throughout the City, the estimated cost to rehabilitate the entire system ranges from $124,740,000 to $199,584,000, Damani explained.

State Senator Jamaal Bailey said he believes there are other factors at play as well.

“Environmental racism is rampant and climate justice is critical now more than ever," Bailey said. "The infrastructure in Mount Vernon is in desperate need of repair, especially the sewer system. Our residents deserve more."

Mount Vernon has already secured initial sewer funding grants and appropriations to begin fixing its sewer system, city officials said. The initial funding includes $6.75 million from American Rescue Plan funds, an additional $1.95 million from the city budget and CDBG funding, a NYS engineering grant for $100,000 and a pending $1.5 million dollar request from Congress.

In the meantime, Bush said there will be tough choices to be made between protecting the health of residents and protecting the environment. Those decisions could have an impact far beyond Mount Vernon's borders.

“Mount Vernon DPW intends to comply with the mandated work around our waterways, but more important is the health and safety of our residents," Bush said. "We care about the fish, but what’s the value of a life in Mount Vernon? My sewer team and staff are committed to getting this work done for the residents of this community."

SEE ALSO:

• US Sues City Whose Raw Sewage Flows Freely
• Cleaning Up Mount Vernon's DPW Yard
• More Pollution, Another Fine For Mount Vernon
• Feds Sue Mount Vernon To Force Sewer Cleanup