$148 Million Investment in East New York and Canarsie Sewers To Reduce Flooding

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Building new sewers and separating previously combined sewers creates additional capacity in the drainage system to reduce flooding and cut overflows into Fresh Creek by 189 million gallons annually.

NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala and NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley today announced the completion of the $148 million, three-phase program to reduce street flooding, ensure the reliability of the drinking water delivery system, improve the health of Fresh Creek and Jamaica Bay and make neighborhood roadways safer for all users. DEP provided the funding for the project while DDC managed the construction.

The project that brings 6.5 miles of new storm sewers to Canarsie and East New York in Brooklyn features the installation of triple barrel siphon storm sewers to continue the flow of stormwater around NYCHA steam pipes

“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. “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.”

“What better day than Earth Day to celebrate a $148 million investment in Southern Brooklyn where we have separated what were previously combined sewers in Canarsie and East New York and created additional capacity in the drainage system that will result in less flooding and a significant reduction in overflows into Fresh Creek—big wins for the community and the environment,” said NYC Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala.

“This is an important infrastructure investment in East New York and Canarsie. Flooding and sewer backups have caused homeowners, tenants and small businesses problems in the past,” said Assembly Member Nikki Lucas. “The $148 million investment is a win for the residents and small business owners of East New York and Canarsie and a start to bringing the community into the 21st Century with much needed infrastructure upgrades. I look forward to working with DEP and DDC on other infrastructure programs throughout East New York and Canarsie.”

“These 6.5 miles of new sewers throughout East New York and Canarsie will prevent flooding in homes and in our streets, not to mention keeping 189 million gallons of overflow from entering Fresh Creek and Jamaica Bay,” said State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. “Completion of this project marks a significant step toward resiliency.”

“While it has been nearly a decade since Superstorm Sandy, many New Yorkers continue to feel its devastating effects, especially the communities in Canarsie and East New York. The Jamaica Bay area remains vulnerable to extreme weather events,” said Congress Member Hakeem Jeffries. “I thank the NYC Departments of Environmental Protection and Design and Construction and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for their work in completing new sewers in our low-lying neighborhoods to ensure that we are prepared for future storms. This project will not only reduce street flooding, but it will further the reliability of the drinking water delivery system and improve the health of Fresh Creek and Jamaica Bay.”

“Significant investments in infrastructure lead to significant improvements in quality of life for all Brooklynites,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “This $148-million investment in Canarsie and East New York will not only improve waste management and secure clean drinking water for community members, but it’ll also intercept flood events that are becoming more common due to climate change. We thank our partners at DEP and DDC for this necessary infrastructure investment.”

“I am truly delighted to join with the DEP and DDC to celebrate the completion of the $148 million infrastructure project to help mitigate street flooding in Canarsie and improve the health of Fresh Creek,” said Council Member Mercedes Narcisse. “Sewers are not usually cause for celebration, but Canarsiens, like myself, who endured Superstorm Sandy and subsequent large rain storms, will surely be delighted to know the area now has 6.5 miles of new storm sewers. This project should go a long way to improve the quality of lives of residents in the neighborhood, and hopefully help make flooded streets and basements a thing of the past.”

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.

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.