Dead Fish And Fuel Found In River, Mahwah Wells Shut Down

Mahwah residents are being asked to conserve water as two township wells are being shut down while Ramapo River water is tested for contamination from a fuel spill in Tuxedo, NY, Mahwah Police Chief James Batelli said.

The township water department sent out an alert saying it was shutting down wells as a “precautionary measure” to “ensure no contamination takes place.”

Batelli, who said the PD is working with the water department and officials from both Bergen and Rockland county, said the move is to “err on the side of caution.”

Batelli says the PD has received conflicting reports about the possible effects of the fuel spill, how much was spilled, and what impact it could have downstream. Reports of a sheen in the water and continued complaints of odors have also come in to the police department, he said.

Dead fish have also been found in the river, Batelli said.

“We want to make sure we completely understand the situation.”

The contamination in question is the from the SOS Storage Depot in Tuxedo during Hurricane Irene Sunday.

Initial reports estimated 10-15,000 gallons had been spilled, but Batelli said additional tests will be done to determine a more exact amount.

The township will be using more water from United Water during the shutdown, Batelli said, but residents are being asked to conserve as much water as possible.

The YouTube video shows the SOS trucks in the flooded river, and, at about 1:50 in, a red sheen can be seen in the water.