Inky water near Niagara Falls leads to call for resignations

The Niagara Falls Water Board has said the Saturday afternoon discharge occurred during routine maintenance of a sedimentation basin and contained permitted amounts of accumulated solids and carbon residue. It has apologized for alarming residents and tourists.

Board Chairman Dan O’Callaghan read a brief statement outside the board’s offices late Thursday saying “possible human error or a possible mechanical malfunction” may have occurred. He said he could not elaborate because of the investigation.

Board executives didn’t immediately respond to the legislators’ resignation calls.

“The last time (Niagara Falls) got this much attention, Nik Wallenda was walking across a tightrope, and that had a massive positive economic impact on the region,” Legislature Majority Leader Randy Bradt said. “We can only imagine the damage done to tourism-related businesses due to this mismanagement by the water board.”

The DEC has said the discharge, which enveloped the dock of the popular Maid of the Mist tour boats, violated state water quality standards by changing the colour and odour of the Niagara River. Additional findings have not yet been released.

U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins has asked the EPA to investigate whether the release violated the federal Clean Water Act, Boundary Waters Treaty or other international agreements. The river and falls straddle the U.S.-Canadian border.

Canadian authorities did not respond to requests for comment.

The EPA told The Associated Press that the DEC investigation would encompass both state and federal interests.

Carolyn Thompson, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Inky water near Niagara Falls leads to call for resignations

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