Park Slope YMCA Reopens After Contaminated Water Forced Closure

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — The Prospect Park YMCA has reopened after nearly a week closed dealing with a chemical contamination in its drinking water, staff announced.

The 9th Street branch, which Mayor Bill de Blasio famously visits a few times a week, opened back up at 5 a.m. on Tuesday after getting the go ahead from the city's Department of Health. The gym had been closed since last Tuesday morning after propylene glycol got into its water during air conditioning maintenance the night before.

"Thank you for your patience while we resolved the water contamination issue that occurred on Monday, July 1," the Y said on its Facebook page. "After having water safety tests conducted at the facility, New York City’s Department of Health has confirmed it is safe."

Staff notified YMCA members with an email Monday night to let them know things would be back up and running the next day, a YMCA spokesman said. The branch had been posting updates to its website every day or two during the closure.

YMCA staff first thought that the chemical in its water was ethylene glycol, which in severe cases can cause seizures or heart damage, and started contacting any members that may have drank the water after it was contaminated around 6 p.m. Monday and before the branch closed.

But a few days later, the Y discovered that the chemical that contaminated the water was actually the propylene glycol, a much less toxic compound. Still, staff are still advising any members who drank the water after 6 p.m. that Monday and who feel unwell to seek medical attention.

The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention describe propylene glycol as a synthetic liquid substance that absorbs water and can be used to make polyester or as an antifreeze.

The chemical is classified as "generally recognized as safe" by the Food and Drug Administration because, unlike ethylene glycol, it does not form into harmful crystals as it breaks down in the body.

All programming, including summer camp, will be back to its normal schedule now that the branch is back open, the update said.