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a high biological demand on the environment (dredge material and 
sewer sludge). Of the nearly 5 million cubic yards of sewer sludge 
deposited in fiscal year 1968, about 53 percent or 2 1/2 million 
cubic yards was undigested sludge. 
3. River discharge and land runoff: 
The industrial complex surrounding the New York Bight is one 
of the largest and most diversified in the world. All conceivable 
industrial wastes and chemicals still drain into the lower rivers 
and harbor complex; and while substantial improvement has occurred, 
pollution from this source still has a significant effect on the’ 
water quality in the New York Bight. 
Three major rivers discharge into the New York Bight--the 
Hudson, Passaic, and Raritan--all of which carry substantial domestic 
-and industrial pollution. An indication of the pollution load may be 
obtained from a breakdown of relative treatment on discharges into 
Hudson River between New York Harbor and Troy: 
Based on Flows Based on Number of Outfalls 
Municipal Industrial Municipal 
No treatment 12% 80% 28% 
Primary only 847, 107 65% 
More than primary 47 107 72 
The extent to which land runoff is becoming a significant 
source of pollution can be judged by recently completed studies of 
the U.S. Geological Survey in central Long Island. These studies 
revealed that runoff from Nassau County tripled in 25 years--920 
acre feet in 1937 to about 3400 acre feet in 1962. Rapid urban 
development with its increase in paved roads, parking lots, drive- 
ways, and buildings is responsible. The accompanying increase in 
contaminants, such as petro-chemicals, is probably at least of the 
same order of magnitude. Also, the increase in storm drain volumes 
further complicates the problem of sewage treatment. 
4. Accidental spills on land and sea: 
Accidental spills are a constant threat in highly indus- 
trialized port complexes such as New York. Many oil spills from 
vessels go unrecorded. They occur during transfer operations, 
from the pumping of bilges, or from damaged tankers and barges; 
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