Additional capacity in the Gowanus neighborhood’s drainage system reduces flooding during heavy rainstorms. Seen here is Third Avenue in Gowanus. Photo courtesy of DEP and DDC
GOWANUS — Construction has just been completed on the $54 million installation of new storm sewers along Third Avenue in Gowanus, a group of high-ranking city officials announced on Wednesday.
The additional capacity in the neighborhood’s drainage system is already helping to reduce street flooding and the amount of pollution that may be discharged into the Gowanus Canal during heavy rainstorms.
Funding was provided by the Department of Environmental Protection, while the Department of Design and Construction managed the construction.
“These drainage improvements proved their worth most recently during the Fourth of July rainstorms, as DEP received no reports of sewer backups or street flooding along Third Avenue,” said DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “DEP continues to explore stormwater management solutions for other corridors in Gowanus that experience regular flooding.”
“Gowanus is a vulnerable area, and we’re proud to help improve the situation for residents,” said DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley. “DDC and DEP are developing new infrastructure within the mayor’s Cloudburst Resiliency Program that includes not just larger sewers but also thousands of curbside rain gardens and now the use of porous pavement that allows for better natural stormwater drainage.”
“Upgrading and expanding our underground infrastructure is one of the most effective tools we have against excessive water, protecting communities from heavy rainstorms and torrential floods,” said Deputy Mayor of Operations Meera Joshi. “By increasing the capacity for rainwater with larger and separate storm sewer pipes, DEP provides critical protection for the Gowanus community.
Before work began, drainage for the area around Third Avenue was routed to a single combined sewer…
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply