New York City Council Adopts New Measure for Sustainable Stormwater Management

Why does storm water infrastructure matter?

Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) happen during and after heavy wet weather like a rainstorm or snowmelt, when the City’s sewage treatment facilities are overloaded with the combination of sewage from buildings and runoff from streets, sidewalks and rooftops. When overloaded, sewage treatment plants are designed to divert the combined untreated wastewater to the nearest creek, river or bay via CSO structures like this one, HP-007, located on the Bronx River.

Sustainable Storm Water Management refers to capturing rain water on rooftops, streets, sidewalks and open spaces to prevent it from entering the sewer system. This is often accomplished through urban retrofits, like green roofs, rain gardens, disconnected rain gutter downspouts, and porous pavement. Capturing the water near the sources of water runoff throughout the watershed can help to prevent CSO while also providing the benefits of added green space, reduction of energy costs, and improved air quality.

New York City is completing a Long Term Control Plan that will drive the implementation of projects and practices aimed to reduce CSO and improve water quality.

Basic Facts

S.W.I.M. Fact Sheet
EPA Guidance on Using Green Infrastructure
Sustainable Raindrops: Cleaning New York Harbor by Greening the Urban Landscape
(Riverkeeper and the S.W.I.M Coalition))