NYC Commences Huge Upgrade of Sewer and Water infrastructure
New York City begins fourth phase of sewer and water infrastructure that will help alleviate roadway flooding in Springfield Gardens, Queens.
The infrastructure upgrade will cost $69 million and is part of the Neighborhood Upgrade, which totals $175 million in funds toward flood alleviation. The project will include the installation of 84 catch basins, approximately 2.8 miles of new sewer lines, nearly 3 miles of water mains, and new streets and sidewalks. The project will be managed by the City’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC).
Other tasks for the project include the creation of a Bluebelt, a wetland that both stores and treats stormwater runoff. Using green infrastructure principles, stormwater will be collected in the newly installed catch basins and discharged into wetlands where the water will be naturally filtered. All upgrades in Springfield Gardens are scheduled to be completed in 2014.
Approximately 5,400 feet of sanitary sewer lines, 6,600 feet of storm sewer lines, 84 catch basins, and 70 manholes will be installed as part of the project. The new sewer lines will help mitigate localized flooding in the neighborhood. Construction will include the replacement of 7,750 feet of distribution water mains and 4,300 feet of trunk water mains, which will improve the reliability of the water distribution system by providing a critical redundancy that will minimize service disruption to consumers during any future water main work and service shutdowns.
DEP’s Bluebelt program preserves and optimizes natural drainage corridors including streams, ponds and lakes and directs stormwater there to be stored and naturally filtered. The Bluebelts provide important open spaces and diverse wildlife habitats. This project will remove accumulated sediments from Springfield Lake and plant wetland shelves along its perimeter. Both measures will improve the water quality and aquatic habitat of the area. Collected stormwater will be diverted into the newly constructed wetland systems. The filtered water will then make its way through Springfield Lake and existing streams and wetlands.
For more information, please visit www.nyc.gov/dep.