For my group’s third field work, we visited the Gowanus Canal Conservancy. We talked with a representative about the problems that have been occurring. The canal is being filled with sewage every time it rains. The canal used to be a dumping ground for coal waste, so it is toxic to animals. Along with the toxic chemicals, the whole canal backs up with sewage when it rains making the surrounding area very polluted. On the drizzly day that we visited, an unnatural smell was in the air. The representative told us that an even bigger problem was taking hold. The industrial developments near the canal are pumping their waste into the canal, but the worst part is that the immediate surrounding area (residential buildings) are the ones suffering from this waste. The Gowanus Canal Conservancy has been working hard creating a plan for the future to dredge out the toxic coal sludge and cover the bottom with cement so that the canal can begin getting filtered.