EPA Superfund Site

GOWANUS CANAL

NY | EPA ID NYN000206222

About this site’s exposure pathways: As of January 2025, the Gowanus Canal Superfund Site is considered Human Exposure Not Under Control because the remedy is still being implemented and there is potential human exposure through direct contact and on-going subsistence fishing in the Canal. The Gowanus Canal and Upper New York Bay are under fish and shellfish consumption advisories issued by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) based on polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and dioxin contamination. EPA selected a remedy to address significant contamination found in the sediments throughout the 1.6-mile Canal and has initiated clean-up activities at the site. The dredging, capping, and in-situ stabilization of contaminated sediments in the “Upper Canal,” started by the Potentially Responsible Party Group in 2020, was completed in July 2024. Access dredging in the “Middle Canal” commenced in June 2024. There is still an estimated seven to eight more years-worth of in-canal work in the “Middle Canal” and “Lower Canal” to be performed. In addition, under orders with EPA, New York City is constructing two combined sewer overflow (CSO) retention tanks to capture sewer overflows from the two largest CSOs. This work is needed to protect the remedy from new contamination that could come from CSO releases. The two CSO tanks should be completed in 2029. In addition to addressing the contaminated sediments in the Canal and CSOs, the planned activities to address this pathway include working with the State to ensure that fish consumption advisory signs are posted and cleanup some of the former industrial sites along the canal’s banks.

EPA currently anticipates that human exposure will be under control by September 2036, when clean up goals are met and the Final Closeout Report is complete.

EPA ensures community participation throughout the remedial process by meeting with residents and affected stakeholders, issuing public notices and updating fact sheets. A site profile has been established on the EPA website to keep the community informed of recent progress at the site. Additionally, an EPA Community Involvement Coordinator is assigned to the site and can address specific community concerns as they arise. A Community Advisory Group comprised of members representing diverse interests in the community has been established to disseminate site information and solicit public comments on project activities.