Queens, NY to Receive New Green Infrastructure Systems

The New York Department of Design & Construction (DDC) has selected Dewberry provide engineering services for new green infrastructure systems in the borough of Queens. The systems are part of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Green Infrastructure Plan, an initiative to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and improve water quality.

The systems are expected to manage at least 1 in. of rain falling on impervious surfaces within DEP Priority CSO tributary areas. The green infrastructure will largely consist of Right-of-Way Bioswales (ROWBs), or tree pits with native plants; curb cuts; and layers of permeable soil, sand and gravel. ROWBs enable storm water to seep into the ground and decrease the combined sewer overflow into surrounding bodies of water.

The NYC Green Infrastructure Plan proposes a total of $2.4 billion over the next 20 years to improve water quality in New York Harbor, with $735 million in DEP’s most recent 10-year capital plan dedicated to green infrastructure. DEP manages the city’s water supply, providing more than one billion gallons of water each day to more than nine million residents.

Source: Dewberry