Roux Blog

Sewer Overflows in NYC Waterways!

Posted on Sep 26, 2014 12:39:16 PM


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Did you know that 27 billion gallons of combined sewage and stormwater are discharged into NYC waterways every year?! These discharges, called Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) occur whenever there is a significant rainfall. This raw sewage degrades water quality and negatively impacts human health and the environment.
 
The overflows occur because the existing wastewater treatment plants cannot handle the increased volume when it rains. In 2010, New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) implemented a Green Infrastructure Plan to help reduce the volume of rainfall entering the sewers. The plan, now in its fourth year, has been evaluated in a newly released white paper that provides background on the issue and recommendations. See the link below to download the white paper.
 
The concern over the combined sewage overflows in NYC and the role of green infrastructure in improving this environmental problem will be discussed at the Green Infrastructure Policy Forum on October 9, 2014.  This forum is sponsored by the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and NYU/Wagner’s Institute for Civil Infrastructure Systems.
 
Come hear Amanda Ludlow, Principal Scientist, Roux Associates, as she joins stakeholders from NYC to discuss the current state of CSO's in waterways and provides her expertise on innovative green infrastructure technologies like constructed treatment wetlands.

Other panelist include:

  • NYC DEP
  • Trust for Public Land
  • Riverkeeper
  • S.W.I.M. Coalition
  • NYC Office of Recovery and Resiliency
  • The Nature Conservatory
  • US Army Corps
Click here for more information or to register for the Thursday, October 9, 2014 Green Infrastructure Policy Forum.


White Paper: NYC's Green Infrastructure Plan

In 2010, New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) implemented a Green Infrastructure Plan to help reduce the volume of rainfall entering the sewers. The plan, now in its fourth year, has been evaluated in a newly released white paper that provides background on the issue and recommendations.  Click below to download the complete paper.

Download Here



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Do you want to learn more about Roux Associates Engineered Natural Systems (ENS®) services?  Click on the button below and we will be happy to customize a brown bag / technical presentation to suit your needs.

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Topics: ENS, Engineered Natural Systems, Constructed Treatment Wetlands