A Brief History of Toxic New York, In Pictures
August 2003: New York City Blackout
The city-wide blackout in August 2003 had the unfortunate side effect of unleashing 490 million gallons of raw sewage into city waters, resulting in closed beaches and various environmental and health hazards.
You see, the city, having learned from past dung onslaughts, has long had backup generators installed at treatment plants for just this type of incident. Unfortunately, one plant on 13th st. never got the upgrade, and spilled all its disgusting contents. Generators in Red Hook and North River proved faulty, too, resulting in one of the biggest messes in the city’s recent history.