Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office announced this afternoon that he’s signed legislation that would force publicly owned sewage facilities to disclose whenever they discharge untreated or partially treated sewage.

“New Yorkers have a right to know when potentially harmful, untreated sewage is discharged into waterways in their communities,” Governor Cuomo said. “These new notification requirements will let the general public know when untreated sewage is released in water bodies, especially swimming beaches and fishing areas. In addition, this new law will also raise awareness to the need for upgrades and maintenance of our state’s wastewater infrastructure. I thank the bill sponsors for their work on this important law.”

It’s yet another environmental initiative from the Cuomo administration, coming a few days after his office announced plans to use $50 million to preserve 69,000 acres of Adirondack land.

Still expected this summer is a final report from the Department of Environmental Conservation on possible regulations for hydrofracking, a controversial natural-gas extraction process.

The law takes effect May 1 next year.

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