Case Study: Gowanus Canal

The Gowanus Canal originally served as a navigable waterway prior to the development of efficient railroads and truck routes. Built in the 1860s, the canal served industries such as tanneries, cement works, paint, ink and soap facilities. As a result of years of discharges, storm water runoff, sewer outflows and industrial pollutants, the Gowanus Canal has become one of the nation's most extensively contaminated bodies of water. Contaminants include PCBs, coal tar wastes, heavy metals and volatile organics. In 2010, the Gowanus Canal was added to the EPA's Superfund National Priorities list for further investigation.