Irene blamed for 'oily sheen' in Gilboa

4/14/2015

New York City's Department of Environmental Protection is continuing to monitor the Schoharie Reservoir in Gilboa after an oily sheen was discovered on the water's surface 10 days ago.
Water samples taken from the sheen have determined that the material, which had dissipated by Tuesday, was motor oil or hydraulic oil.
According to the DEP, a preliminary investigation found that the sheen was likely coming from a previously undiscovered tank that was washed into the Schoharie Reservoir in 2011 by Hurricane Irene.
Shifting ice and low water levels likely dislodged the tank and caused the sheen, DEP officials said.
Oil was not found in the water samples collected from inside the Shandaken Tunnel Intake Chamber.
DEP officials said the sheen was discovered at about 2:30pm Monday, April 6, several hundred feet down shore from the intake.
Water supply operators successfully prevented it from leaving the reservoir by shutting down the intake chamber and installing an absorbent boom.
As a result, DEP said in a press release, it didn't pose a threat to drinking water.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health were immediately notified and federal elected officials were also updated.
The sheen is not currently visible nor are any odors detectable at the site.
On Thursday, DEP reactivated the intake chamber after consulting with its regulators.
Enhanced monitoring and daily visual inspections will continue and DEP is working on a plan to remove the tank once the ice has melted and work conditions are safe.
Water from the Schoharie Reservoir is used to help supply downstate New York, including New York City.