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07/23/2011 04:17 PM

Harlem Wastewater Plant Ends Raw Sewage Dump After Brief Setback

By: NY1 News

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While raw sewage is no longer spilling into the Hudson River following Wednesday's fire at a Harlem water treatment plant, efforts to stop the discharge hit a snag early Saturday morning.

The Department of Environmental Protection says a power blip caused by a manhole fire forced one of the plant's pumps to stall, reopening the flow of untreated wastewater.

Crews were able to restore power to the pump and the dumping of raw sewage ended around 3:30 p.m.

Meantime, the city Health Department is recommending people not swim at South Beach, Cedar Grove and Midland Beach on Staten Island, and Sea Gate Beach in Brooklyn.

Officials are also discouraging people from having contact with the water in the Hudson, Harlem and East Rivers.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.