The Dead Heron (Blue Heron?): seen on 3/2/2011: pollution

The dead Blue Heron encountered on the path alongside of the Tenakill Brook, Tenafly 07670, Bergen County, New Jersey. (unable to examine bird scientifically, I am not certain that I have identified the bird correctly.) The body of the heron was not in the water but on the brook's bank. Had it returned to the brook from a winter stay elsewhere or did it live through the eternal winter of 2010-2011 in Tenafly, managing somehow to survive the ordeal of cold, snow and ice? Such birds can overwinter, surprisingly. Holding my dog on a lead while I photographed was difficult, since she wanted to inspect the stream although I doubt that the dead animal would have interested her. From prior experience, I have learned that well-nourished pets will avoid close contact with a dead animal, although if the creature has been torn apart, it might try to snatch a fragment of the carcass. I show the find spot and pollutants in surrounding water. What cannot be doubted is the presence of gasoline: its noxious but beautiful "rainbow" color. Why is so much petroleum visible in the water? It is said by Tenafly's Newsletter to originate from the disposal of gasoline into the sewer system. But this is dubious. Who today in Tenafly is an self -made auto mechanic? Far more likely are gas stations and petroleum /gasoline leaks from vehicles. This matter runs-off from pavement into sewers. But the greatest amount may not be from leaky cars in this town, but from heavy vehicles used by various public services: snow removal trucks, leaf removal trucks and so forth. I cannot count how many times I have seen such vehicles leave behind a trail of petroleum. It is time for Tenafly and neighboring towns to check town vehicles and fix them if in fact they are leaking this deadly matter. Carcinogens, that is agents that contribute directly to cancer, are present in vehicular fuel. If these poisons did not flow into the Tenakill Brook but miraculously disappeared the problem would be solved. But miracles are unknown in this realm. The Tenakill Brook carries gasoline and other pollutants into the water supply to United Water that provides water for this town and others in the region.

Is the heron "the canary in the mine?"

transfiguring what is: art and fact

The Tenakill Brook, Tenafly New Jersey, probably one of the most polluted water sources in Bergen Country, a source that is used by the company United Water to provide water to Tenafly, New Jersey (07670) and other nearby towns, can be transfigured by art, that is its appearance, but the water is no less harmful despite its transcendent aspect thanks to the magic of sunlight.

Pollution in Tenafly, New Jersey: Tenakill Brook, May 23, 2010, part 2

This post shows the confluence of the feeder stream from Chestnut and and Tenafly Road (Tenafly, New Jersey 07670). The milky fluid that was seen flowing from a sewer system into the feeder stream entered the Tenakill Brook, as the pictures above demonstrate. It moved rapidly along the shore of the brook and by 8:11 pm, approximately, it was seen at the bridge spanning that is located near Tenafly Middle School. At that time dusk was turning to darkness and photography was no longer effective, although some pictures were taken for documentary purposes. Obviously, the substance that had entered the sewer system further upstream was no longer as dense, as it was thinned by the water and the current of the brook. The substance appeared to be industrial waste; release of this substance probably stopped after the police and fire engines appeared on the scene. This substance had been observed on days prior to the 23rd when we witnessed it, but the person or persons who had seen it had not officially notified the police department. Once notified, on the 23rd of May, 2010, the Tenafly police and fire departments responded immediately and are to commended for their professionalism.

Some business or industrial entity appears to be using the Tenafly sewer system to rid its premises of noxious products. Using a sewer system is inexpensive, ie free, and likely will not be observed. Yet the cost to the community and the public that uses United Water is great. Chemicals are generally carcinogens. Of course the effects are not directly apparent in most cases, but the long-term effects are deadly. Autism, cancers and numerous other diseases are linked to various chemicals. I do hope that United Water, Bergen County, and other entities or agencies will take this problem seriously and prevent future occurrences using fines, and penalties if need be.
Finally, given our concern about terrorism, is this event not a test for such a catastrophic disaster?