Lab Finds Sewage and Grease in Sunapee Harbor Contaminant Incident
The Town of Sunapee announced laboratory testing found no hydrocarbons in the recent Sunapee Harbor spill, determining the material was a mixture of sewage and oil and grease. The immediate leak was addressed, but residents should expect occasional residual oil sheen, particularly during spring thaw, and contact town officials with concerns.
On November 26 the Town of Sunapee released laboratory results from the contaminant event near the Blue Canoe restaurant in Sunapee Harbor. Testing confirmed that no hydrocarbons were present, indicating the substance was a mixture of sewage and oil and grease rather than petroleum based contaminants. Town officials reported the immediate issue was identified and corrected.
The finding changes the character of the response and the messages to the public. Petroleum spills trigger a different set of cleanup protocols and regulatory responses than sewage related discharges. Because the material appears to have accumulated over an extended period, town staff cautioned that some residual oil sheen may continue to appear on the harbor surface, especially during the spring thaw when ice and runoff can reveal previously trapped substances. That sheen is described as the remnant of a problem that has already been addressed.
Local businesses and water users will feel the practical effects. Boat operators should remain observant for surface film on the water, and shoreline residents who use the harbor for recreation should be aware that occasional visual sheen does not necessarily indicate an ongoing uncontrolled release. The Blue Canoe and the Sunapee Fire Department were credited for their collaboration in containing the immediate problem and protecting public health and safety.
Beyond the immediate neighborhood, the episode highlights broader infrastructure and environmental stewardship issues that Sullivan County communities face as seasons change. Similar incidents in cold climate lake communities often expose aging sewer connections, stormwater management gaps, and the need for regular maintenance to prevent long term accumulation of contaminants. Town leaders say the identified problem has been corrected and that continued vigilance will be needed during thaw periods.
Residents with questions or concerns are asked to contact the Town Manager at manager@sunapeenh.gov. The town emphasized that while the immediate threat was resolved, cleanup monitoring and seasonal surveillance will continue to ensure the harbor remains safe for boating, fishing, and shorefront use.
