NYC finishes large sewer drainage, drinking water project

New York City officials have announced the completion of a $148 million, three-phase program to reduce street flooding, ensure the reliability of the drinking water delivery system, and improve the health of Fresh Creek and Jamaica Bay.

The project installed 15 miles of new sewers and water mains for Southern Brooklyn, built 176 catch basins, and restore 30,000 square feet of wetlands. The installations are expected to reduce overflows into nearby waters by about 189 million gallons each year.

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) provided funding for the project, while the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) managed the construction.

“No New Yorker should have to cross their fingers and hope their street or home doesn't flood when they see rain clouds,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams in a press release. “This $148 million investment in 15 miles of new sewers and water mains for Southern Brooklyn will reduce flooding, protect our drinking water, and improve quality of life. We know that environmental justice begins on the ground and, through projects like these, we will build a safer and more resilient city for all New Yorkers.”

The three-phase project includes sections throughout the Canarsie and East New York neighborhoods of Brooklyn. A total of 6.3 miles of high-level storm sewers were installed to alleviate flooding. To reduce combined sewer overflows into Fresh Creek, 0.2 miles of combined sewers were replaced and converted to sanitary sewers and an additional 0.16 miles of existing sanitary sewers were also replaced. To better capture stormwater and direct it to the new storm sewers, 176 catch basins were installed.

Alongside the new sewers, 8.3 miles of new ductile iron distribution water mains were built to replace the older cast iron pipes, ensuring a reliable supply of high-quality water for decades to come. Fire protection was enhanced with the installation of 128 fire hydrants to ensure that the FDNY has ready access to the City’s water supply. As part of the final restoration, all impacted roadways, sidewalks and curbs were reconstructed.

“This large program in Canarsie and East New York will greatly improve the quality of life for residents with reduced street flooding and improved water infrastructure reliability,” said NYC Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Thomas Foley. “All of the streets that were impacted throughout construction received new roadways, sidewalks and curbs to direct the stormwater to the new storm sewers and mitigates damage to property owners.”

In addition, the wetland in the Fresh Creek Basin Nature Preserve was restored. The saltmarsh cordgrass habitat was graded and expanded in accordance with a design that was developed with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation. Fill, debris, invasive species and other ecological impairments were removed to create nearly 30,000 square feet of restored wetlands in two wetland zones comprised of 21,200 square feet of intertidal marsh and 8,000 square feet of high marsh.

Plantings to compliment the saltmarsh cordgrass include saltmeadow cordgrass, spikegrass, and black grass rush. Nearly 34,000 square feet of coastal forest was created to enhance the overall ecology of the preserve.

Altogether, the three phases cover an approximately 419-acre drainage area and reduce combined sewer overflows into Fresh Creek, a tributary of Jamaica Bay. The increased collection of stormwater runoff reduces roadway and property flooding and separates out an estimated 50 percent of the stormwater flow from the combined sewers.

By reducing pressure on the existing combined sewer system, modeling shows that overflows into Fresh Creek will be reduced by approximately 189 million gallons annually. This project is part of an agreement between New York City and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation that aims to significantly improve the health of New York Harbor.