City of Newburgh City Manager Michael Ciaravino sent a letter on Aug. 17 to Martin Brand, regional director of the New York Department of Environment Conservation (DEC), discussing options to reduce the rising water level in Washington Lake.
In the wake of Stewart International Airport being declared a Superfund Site from PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonate) contamination, the city closed the diversion gates of Silver Stream, which flows through Stewart and into Washington Lake, and is suspected of carrying PFOS into the lake.
That stopped Silver Stream’s water from flowing in, but it wasn’t enough to stop the rise of the lake since residents are no longer using it for drinking water.
“Even with the closing of the diversion gates, we are seeing the water level in Washington Lake rise due to runoff and possible natural spring activity,” Ciaravino said in his letter.
The city manager wants the DEC to do more so that Washington Lake doesn’t spill over its earthen dam and flood surrounding properties with its contaminated water.
