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NY DEC responds to manure spill


February 20, 2017  by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

February 20, 2017, Auburn, NY – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Tompkins County Health Department officials recently responded to a manure spill that impacted Salmon Creek and Cayuga Lake.

As a result of a structural issue with a satellite manure storage lagoon at an area farm, emergency applications of manure were made to fields beginning February 16. Rapidly warming temperatures resulted in increased snowmelt that caused runoff of manure from several fields to enter Salmon Creek. A portion of the discharge reached Cayuga Lake, but did not threaten municipal water supplies.

DEC continues to work directly with the farm owner and Tompkins County to address the issue. The county advises anyone on a beach well or using lake water in that area to avoid consumption until more information is available.

Residents that drink water from Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission (SCLIWC or Bolton Point) should not be affected. The treatment process at the Bolton Point plant should disinfect any contamination. Further protection is provided by the location of their intake – about 400 feet off shore and 60 feet deep.

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State and county officials also advise avoiding direct contact with waters in Salmon Creek or on Cayuga Lake’s shore near the Salmon Creek inlet.

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