What kind of materials can be discharged at a permitted wastewater discharge point?

Question

There is a gas company on the shore of the Hudson River. They have a wastewater discharge permit. But today when I was walking nearby I saw big bubbles of some type of gasoline-like substance coming up from the river bed to the surface every several seconds.

Should I report this to someone? Or would gasoline-like substances be permitted under a wastewater discharge permit? I went on the EPA's web site and found the facility, but the jargon made no sense to me and I could not make heads or tails of it. Thanks

Answer 1

Why don't you download their permit and let your teacher take a look at it.  After all, what are you learning environmental stuff for?

Answer 2

Report it

No permit allows gasoline to be discharged into a waterway.

Answer 3

Today is earth day.  How would you be walking near the facility with others who could not answer your question?

Yesterday I was working on the Bronx River north of Yonkers in Scarsdale.

40 years ago we did nothing to help the community.  things change

Answer 4

I would report it to the facility and see what they tell you it is.  Having been in the business many years, it could be hundreds of things, most would not be a problem.  It could even be natural.  if you don't get a response from the facility, then call the state agency in your state.