Department of Environmental Protection completes clean-water infrastructure in Bushwick

The Department of Environmental Protection has completed green infrastructure projects in Brooklyn that will improve water quality in Newtown Creek.

DEP Commissioner Carter Strickland, along with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Regional Director Venetia Lannon announced that the recently completed installation of green infrastructure in Bushwick will prevent more than one million gallons of stormwater from reaching the sewer system. Consequently, this will improve the cleanliness of the water in Newtown Creek and New York harbor.

Another part of the $335,00 project was the installment of 19 biowales—curbside gardens that are designed to collect and absorb stormwater from the street and sidewalk, along Grove Street between Goodwin Place and Wilson Avenue.

In a statement, NYC DEP said:

 “This is our third neighborhood pilot project and these 19 bioswales are adding to our network of green infrastructure, as envisioned in the NYC Green Infrastructure Plan, that will improve the health and cleanliness of Newtown Creek and other local waterbodies,” said Commissioner Strickland.  “These green infrastructure projects also green the neighborhood, provide shade in the summertime, clean the air, and make the streets a more enjoyable and welcoming place.”

“The improvements DEP will make in the area to manage storm water runoff will enhance the quality of life for the residents of Hope Gardens Houses and the surrounding community and will contribute to making New York City more sustainable for years to come,” said NYCHA Chairman John B. Rhea.  “This green infrastructure project will not only help improve the quality of New York City’s local waterways but it will beautify the neighborhood.”

So far, DEP has installed 119 biosales city-wide, and plans on installing thousands more over the next five years. Since 2002, DEP has invested more than $10 billion in upgrades to wastewater treatment plants and related efforts, resulting in the health of New York City’s harbor water improving to levels not seen in over one hundred years.

Thus far, DEP has installed 119 bioswales city-wide, hundreds more will be completed by the end of the year, and thousands will be added over the next five years.

For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, facebook.com/nycwater, or twitter.com/nycwater.