SHARE

Long Island Sound Pollution Lawsuit Settled In Port Chester

PORT CHESTER, N.Y. -- Port Chester is agreeing to clean up the Long Island Sound.

The Long Island Sound

The Long Island Sound

Photo Credit: File

The village approved a settlement with Save The Sound at Monday's village board meeting to stop the leaking of sewage into the Long Island Sound.

Save the Sound filed lawsuits against the county and 11 municipalities in 2015. Port Chester was the first to reach a settlement agreement.

"The sewage collection of the county and these municipalities are not being maintained," Roger Reynolds, legal director for Save the Sound said. "It's leaking thousands of sewage into our waterways and Long Island Sound. The municipalities have been aware of these problems for decades.

The settlement will see Port Chester agree to fix their sewage system by 2019. Port Chester has already started a $15 million project to upgrade its sewers by the end of fiscal year 2019.

"I applaud Port Chester for doing this," Reynolds said. "They are protecting their residents and doing the right thing for the community. They have gotten ahead of the problem."

Litigation remains against the municipalities, Reynolds said. Other municipalities have agreed to study the problem, but have not agreed to fix it, Reynolds said. Because Port Chester settled early, Save the Sound is not speaking financial penalties, Reynolds said.

to follow Daily Voice Port Chester and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE