This page is left blank intentionally. Please print this plan using the double-sided printer setting.

Green infrastructure photographs (clockwise, starting from the top-left): rain barrel, enhanced
tree pit, Staten Island Bluebelt, porous concrete sidewalk, porous pavers, restored wetland,
green roof, blue roof

Credit: Topmost cover photograph taken by Nancy Hey; all others taken by DEP employees.
 [Ty
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T HE C ITY OF N EW Y ORK
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
NEW YORK, NY 10007

Dear Friends:

Cleaning up New York City’s rivers, creeks, and coastal waters has been a top priority for our
Administration, and the pace of progress has increased dramatically over the past several
years. Since 2002, the City has invested more than $6 billion in water quality, and key indicators
show that New York Harbor is the cleanest and healthiest it’s been in more than a century. But
to open as much of our waterfront as possible to recreation and development, we need a
long-term plan to manage the stormwater that can overwhelm our combined sewer system
when it rains, impairing water quality in the harbor and its tributaries.

To succeed, any plan must be effective and affordable, and the 8.4 million New Yorkers who
will pay for it must see and feel its benefits. The NYC Green Infrastructure Plan will achieve that
goal. Based on years of study and our experience with new technologies, we know that green
infrastructure—advanced street-tree pits, porous pavements and streets, green and blue roofs,
and many other stormwater controls—can improve water and air quality, help to cool the City,
reduce energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions, increase property values, and beautify our
communities. And we can achieve all of these benefits for billions of dollars less than the cost of
the traditional tanks and tunnels that are useful only when it rains.

The NYC Green Infrastructure Plan continues the implementation of PlaNYC, not only by
improving water quality, but by helping the City achieve cleaner air and greener streets, and
we look forward to working with the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to make our plan a reality. The
unprecedented scale of this plan and our commitment to implement it will put the City at the
forefront of stormwater management, and ensure our progress toward a greener, greater New
York.

Sincerely,

Michael R. Bloomberg
Mayor i
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1

INTRODUCTION 13
Water quality in New York Harbor: past, present, and future
NYC’s program to control combined sewer overflows
Sustainability and NYC’s water quality initiatives

PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AND ESTIMATED COSTS 19

Overview of the Grey and Green Strategies and modeling methods
Predicted performance and estimated costs of each strategy

THE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN 37

1. BUILD COST-EFFECTIVE GREY INFRASTRUCTURE 37

2. OPTIMIZE THE EXISTING WASTEWATER SYSTEM 40

Wastewater system optimization
Demand side management

3. CONTROL RUNOFF FROM 10% OF IMPERVIOUS SURFACES THROUGH 46

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
Introduction
Green Infrastructure Fund and Task Force
Stormwater performance standard and opportunities in new development
Opportunities and initiatives in existing development
Opportunities and initiatives in the right-of-way
Opportunities and initiatives in parks
Watershed-level opportunities, performance, and costs

4. INSTITUTIONALIZE ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT, MODEL IMPACTS, MEASURE 117

PROGRAM ELEMENTS, AND MONITOR WATER QUALITY
Institutionalizing adaptive management
Improving water quality modeling
Measuring program performance and CSOs
Monitoring ambient water quality
Research and development for measuring CSOs

5. ENGAGE AND ENLIST STAKEHOLDERS IN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT 123

Notification systems to reduce potential exposure
Public outreach, education, and engagement
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
 NEXT STEPS 127
Begin immediate implementation of the Green Infrastructure Plan
Incorporate green infrastructure and adaptive management into the existing
regulatory structure

APPENDIX 131
[Ty InfoWorks modeling details
Green infrastructure cost estimate details
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY tle]

Figure 1: Predicted CSO Volume 8

Figure 2: Phasing of Green Infrastructure and Grey Infrastructure Benefits 9
Figure 3: Citywide Costs of CSO Control Scenarios (after 20 years) 9
Table 1: Green Infrastructure Opportunities, Strategies, and Technologies (citywide) 5

DOCUMENT BODY

Figure 4: Current Water Quality Standards and Public Access Points 14

Figure 5: Combined Sewer Overflow Outfalls and Wastewater Treatment Plant
Drainage Areas 16
Figure 6: Predicted CSO Volume 24
Figure 7: CSO Volume by Watershed (after full implementation) 25
Figure 8: Accumulated Benefits Over 20 Years 26
Figure 9: Citywide Costs of CSO Control Scenarios (after 20 years) 30
Figure 10: Estimated Citywide Costs per Gallon of CSO Reduced 31
Figure 11: Operation & Maintenance Costs to the City of CSO Control Scenarios 32
Figure 12: Estimated Costs of Green Infrastructure per Gallon of CSO Reduced,
by Watershed 33
Figure 13: DEP Crew and Vactor Truck in Operation 42
Figure 14: Potential Gravel Bed to Control Runoff from New Development 51
Figure 15: Rooftops in Downtown Manhattan 53
Figure 16: Green Roof at DEP’s Paerdegat Basin CSO Detention Facility 54
Figure 17: Blue Roof / Green Roof Comparison Study 55
Figure 18: Pilot - Blue Roof Retrofit Project 55
Figure 19: Rain Barrel Distribution and Workshops 56
Figure 20: Pilot - Model High Density Housing Retrofit 57
Figure 21: DCP Zoning Requirements for Parking Lots 58
Figure 22: Pilot - Streetside Enhanced Tree Pits and Infiltration Swales 61
Figure 23: Pilot - Porous Concrete Sidewalk at DEP’s Paerdegat Basin
CSO Detention Facility 62
Figure 24: Pilot - Detention and Bioinfiltration at Shoelace Park 63
Figure 25: CSO Outfalls in New York City 119
Figure 26: Tier 1, 2, and 3 CSO Outfalls and Associated Service Areas 120
Figure 27: Old and New CSO Discharge Signs 123

Table 2: Water Quality and Other New York City Capital Investments (FY 2002-2009) 15
Table 3: Total Vegetated Acres in 2030 27
Table 4: Annual Benefits of Vegetated Source Controls in 2030 ($/acre) 27
Table 5: Predicted Performance and Estimated Costs for Grey and Green Strategies 35
Table 6: Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure - CSO Volume Reduction Projects 37 v
Table 7: Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure - CSO Volume Reduction Projects
Costs and CSO Volumes 38 v

TABLES AND FIGURES

 Table 8: Other Projects Related to CSOs 38
Table 9: Other Projects Related to CSOs - Costs 39
Table 10: Green Infrastructure Opportunities, Strategies, and Technologies (citywide) 47
Table 11: Summary of Green Infrastructure Opportunities, by Watershed 48
Table 12: Costs for Proposed Stormwater Performance Standard 52
Table 13: DEP Retrofit Demonstration Projects 53
[Ty Table 14: NYC Right-of-Way Demonstration Projects 60
Table 15: NYC Park Demonstration Projects 63
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TABLES AND FIGURES

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AMR Automated Meter Reading tle]
ARRA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
BID Business Improvement District
BMP Best Management Practice
CAC Citizens Advisory Committee
CAPA City Administrative Procedure Act
CSO combined sewer overflow
DCP New York City Department of City Planning
DEC New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
DEP New York City Department of Environmental Protection
DDC New York City Department of Design & Construction
DOB New York City Department of Buildings
DOE New York City Department of Education
DOT New York City Department of Transportation
DPR New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
FOG fat, oil, and grease
HPD New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Department
LTCP Long Term Control Plan
MTA New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority
NYCHA New York City Housing Authority
OMB New York City Office of Management and Budget
SCADA Supervisor Control and Data Acquisition
RCNY Rules of the City of New York
ROW Right-of-Way
WWFP Waterbody Watershed Facility Plan
WWTP Wastewater Treatment Plant

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ACRONYMS
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New York City’s efforts to improve water quality are a critical part of PlaNYC, Mayor tle]
Bloomberg’s blueprint for a greener, greater city. Already the Harbor is cleaner than it has
been in over 100 years, and millions of people enjoy the City’s waterfront and waterways every
year, thanks in part to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP’s)
investment of billions of dollars in sewer and wastewater treatment plant upgrades. But in those
waterbodies that do not yet meet water quality standards for pathogens, the biggest
remaining challenge is to further reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs) that discharge a
mixture of untreated sewage and stormwater runoff when it rains. Traditional approaches to
reduce CSOs further would include the construction of additional, large infrastructure, but the
remaining opportunities for such construction are very expensive, and do not provide the
sustainability benefits that New Yorkers rightly expect from multi-billion dollar investments of
public funds.

This Green Infrastructure Plan presents an alternative approach to improving water quality that
integrates ―green infrastructure,‖ such as swales and green roofs, with investments to optimize
the existing system and to build targeted, smaller-scale ―grey‖ or traditional infrastructure. This is
a multi-pronged, modular, and adaptive approach to a complicated problem that will provide
widespread, immediate benefits at a lower cost. The green infrastructure component of this
strategy builds upon and reinforces the strong public and government support that will be nec-
essary to make additional water quality investments. A critical goal of the green infrastructure
component is to manage runoff from 10% of the impervious surfaces in combined sewer water-
sheds through detention and infiltration source controls.

New York City’s ―Green Strategy‖ is nimble enough to incorporate new technologies and ap-
proaches as they emerge during the implementation of our plan. DEP will preserve its ability to
pursue larger grey infrastructure if necessary and appropriate in the event that the Green
Strategy cannot achieve water quality objectives in a particular drainage area. Promoting
green infrastructure has been endorsed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Under Administrator
Lisa Jackson, EPA has testified that green infrastructure is an ―effective response to a variety of
environmental challenges that is cost-effective, sustainable, and provides multiple desirable
environmental outcomes.‖ (Testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, March
19, 2009)

In fact, this approach is not so new — the City and its partners have a long track record of suc-
cessfully meeting water quality standards with natural solutions that have substantial, quantifia-
ble co-benefits. For example, in our Catskill and Delaware watersheds, the City, EPA, New York
State, and community and environmental groups came together and agreed that preserving
forested areas and natural buffers was a better way to keep our drinking water clean than rely-
ing upon end-of-the-pipe, energy-intensive filtration systems. Since the City first applied for a
waiver from filtration requirements for the Catskill and Delaware system in 1991, DEP has com- 1
mitted more than $1.5 billion and dedicated staff to sustain the pristine quality of source waters,
and so far has eliminated the need for a filtration plant that would cost $10 billion or more. 1
These commitments are included in the Filtration Avoidance Determinations issued by EPA and

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
 implemented by DEP and its watershed partners, including New York State, watershed towns,
and civic organizations. Similarly, since the early 1990s DEP has relied upon wetlands and natu-
ral areas in our Bluebelt system in Staten Island to absorb stormwater runoff from streets, thereby
eliminating the need for costly sewer systems.

In 2007, PlaNYC committed the City to build more Bluebelts and Greenstreets, to require green
parking lots, to incentivize green roofs, and to form an Inter-agency Best Management
Practices Task Force. The Sustainable Stormwater Management Plan issued by that Task Force
in 2008 concluded that green infrastructure was feasible in many areas in the city and could be
more cost-effective than certain large infrastructure projects such as CSO storage tunnels. This
Green Infrastructure Plan builds on the Sustainable Stormwater Management Plan and propos-
es to continue coordination among City agencies to build green infrastructure projects. This ef-
[Ty fort will be led by the Mayor’s Office and DEP, and will include collaboration with many City
pe agencies, including the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Department of Parks and
Recreation (DPR), the Department of Design and Construction (DDC), the Department of City
the
Planning (DCP), the Department of Education (DOE), the Department of Sanitation (DSNY), the
do Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), the Department of Housing and
cu Preservation and Development (HPD), the New York City Economic Development Corporation
(EDC), and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).
me
nt This Green Infrastructure Plan builds upon and extends the commitments made in PlaNYC and
the Sustainable Stormwater Management Plan. This plan provides a detailed framework and
ti- implementation plan to meet the twin goals of better water quality in New York Harbor and a
tle] livable and sustainable New York City. The analysis in this Green Infrastructure Plan is based up-
on the predicted impacts of the strategy on CSO volumes in individual watersheds and upon
the City’s estimates of capital and operating costs. Further analysis, which is substantially under
way, will refine the modeling and projections in this report by using more updated geospatial
impervious data, incorporating detention technologies, and assessing the impact of CSO re-
ductions on water quality. It will also present data about the operating costs, maintenance,
and performance of the green infrastructure projects currently underway. This Green
Infrastructure Plan forms a framework for CSO reduction strategies and investments over the
next 20 years and will lead to both clean waterways and a greener, more sustainable city.

The importance of the choice we face as a city and the urgent need for collaborative partner-
ships with our state and federal regulators cannot be overemphasized. The City is facing
tremendous economic challenges and tightly constrained resources while the cost of grey
investments such as 50-million gallon underground storage tanks is significantly increasing and
the marginal contribution of such investments to the achievement of overall water quality
objectives is diminishing. At the same time, PlaNYC and the many studies that guided it made
clear that New Yorkers need and want sustainability benefits such as more open space,
improved air quality, more shade, and increased property values. In this new reality, the City
must strive to get the most water quality and sustainability benefits out of every dollar it invests.

2
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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The Green Infrastructure Plan will achieve better water quality and sustainability benefits than
the all-Grey Strategy that is mandated or is currently under consideration by: ti-
tle]
 Reducing CSO volume by an additional 3.8 billion gallons per year (bgy), or approxi-
mately 2 bgy more than the all-Grey Strategy;
 Capturing rainfall from 10% of impervious surfaces in CSO areas through green infra-
structure and other source controls; and
 Providing substantial, quantifiable sustainability benefits ‒ cooling the city, reducing en-
ergy use, increasing property values, and cleaning the air ‒ that the current all Grey
Strategy does not provide.

Ultimately the success of this program will be measured by water quality objectives, not by CSO
reductions alone.

The Green Infrastructure Plan has five key components:

1. Build cost-effective grey infrastructure

DEP has already built or is planning to build over $2.9 billion in targeted grey infrastructure to re-
duce CSO volumes (the Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments). These projects were set
out in Waterbody Watershed Facility Plans (Facility Plans) submitted to the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) pursuant to a consent order.1 For the most
part, these projects are the most cost-effective among a number of alternatives considered.
The cost-effective projects will reduce CSOs by approximately 8.3 bgy compared to the pro-
jected baseline for the year 2045 that was used in the 2007 Facility Plans. The grey investments
planned or underway reduce CSOs at a cost of $0.36 per gallon. These investments are five
times more cost-effective than certain other alternatives that DEP seeks to avoid or defer.2 The
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments are presented in greater detail in the chapter on
The Green Infrastructure Plan, especially Tables 6 and 8.

2. Optimize the existing wastewater system

DEP will optimize the existing wastewater system through both targeted and system-wide ca-
pacity enhancements to ensure that it can store as much combined flow as is possible. DEP has
already started a comprehensive assessment of the existing system and its hydraulic capacity
to assess further cost-effective improvements. In the meantime, we are already improving exist-
ing programs by inspecting tide gates, surveying and rehabilitating interceptor sewers, prevent-
ing obstructions and cleaning lateral collection sewers, and identifying inflow and infiltration.
These initiatives include the purchase of two new Vactor trucks and a commitment to rehabili-
tate 136 miles of interceptor sewers within two years. By these additional measures, DEP can re-
duce CSOs by approximately 586 million gallons per year (mgy), and will achieve greater re-
3
1 Under a 2005 Administrative Consent Order, DEC file no. CO2-20000107-8, as modified by a 2008 Order on Consent, DEC file no. CO2
-2007-0101-1 (the CSO Order or the Consent Order).
3
2 These are the CSO detention tunnels in the Newtown Creek and Flushing Bay drainage areas, the CSO detention tanks in the
Hutchinson River and Westchester Creek drainage areas, and the wet weather expansions at the 26th Ward and Jamaica WWTPs
(Potential Tanks, Tunnels, and Expansions).

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
 ductions from the additional system improvements that will occur as additional areas are sur-
veyed. The Green Infrastructure Plan is DEP's first attempt to integrate those particular elements
into a comprehensive CSO reduction program.

A critical element of wet weather overflows is the base flow of sanitary waste from household
and other uses, which can take up sewer system storage and wastewater treatment plant
(WWTP) capacity that could otherwise be used to convey and treat stormwater. Lower sanitary
flows maximize plant capacity during wet weather. Sanitary flows vary with the overall con-
sumption of water, which has constantly and significantly declined in recent years and will con-
tinue to decline. DEP estimates that continued declines will reduce CSO volumes by approxi-
mately 1.7 bgy, or 8% of overall city CSOs, by 2030. This is nearly equivalent to the CSO reduc-
tions estimated for large grey infrastructure investments that are currently contemplated under
[Ty the CSO Order or in future Long Term Control Plans (LTCPs).
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Encouraging prudent water use also benefits DEP’s water supply and wastewater treatment
the
system by reducing wear on infrastructure, chemical costs, energy costs for pumping and treat-
do ing flow, and greenhouse gas emissions. These are important considerations because in just a
cu few years DEP’s energy demand will be 30% greater than today as the ultraviolet disinfection
plant for the Catskill and Delaware systems, and the Croton filtration plant come on line. DEP
me will undertake or continue conservation initiatives to ensure reduced flow in future years, includ-
nt ing completing installation of the Automated Meter Reading (AMR) network and, if feasible,
low flow fixture rebates and other initiatives.
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tle] 3. Control runoff from 10% of impervious surfaces through green
infrastructure
Green infrastructure is at the core of this plan. The City’s goal is to capture the first inch of rain-
fall on 10% of the impervious areas in combined sewer watersheds through detention or infiltra-
tion techniques over 20 years. By preventing one inch of precipitation from becoming runoff
that surges into the sewers over 10% of each combined sewer watershed’s impervious area,
DEP estimates that CSOs will be reduced by approximately 1.5 bgy. DEP proposes to meet this
goal by achieving 1.5% impervious area capture by 2015, an additional 2.5% by 2020, an addi-
tional 3% by 2025, and the remaining 3% by 2030.

The strategies to achieve the 10% goal vary depending on the type of land use (see Table 1,
following page). DEP’s initial analysis shows that there are significant opportunities to
incorporate green infrastructure in 52% of the land in CSO areas of the City, well more than
needed to meet the 10% capture goal over 20 years. The remaining 48% of the City’s land area
consists of existing development, where stormwater retrofits may also be appropriate but are
more difficult and expensive to build. For a highly urbanized city, the goal of 10% capture over
20 years is ambitious but achievable.

To reach this goal the City will create a Green Infrastructure Task Force to design and build
stormwater controls into planned roadway reconstructions and other public infrastructure pro-
jects. The City is prepared to create a Green Infrastructure Fund and to immediately commit
substantial capital and operating resources to this effort.
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The Green Infrastructure Task Force will target investments on a watershed-by-watershed basis.
Already, DEP has completed an unprecedented, detailed analysis of roadway projects and

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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Table 1: Green Infrastructure Opportunities, Strategies, and Technologies (citywide)
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% of Combined
Land Use Sewer Potential Strategies and Technologies nt
Watershed
New development Stormwater performance standard for new and expanded development
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5.0%
and redevelopment Rooftop detention; green roofs; subsurface detention and infiltration tle]
Integrate stormwater management into capital program in partnership with DOT, DDC, and
DPR
Streets and sidewalks 26.6% Enlist Business Improvement Districts and other community partners
Create performance standard for sidewalk reconstruction
Swales; street trees; Greenstreets; permeable pavement

Integrate stormwater management into capital program in partnership with NYCHA and HPD
Multi-family residential
3.4%
complexes Rooftop detention; green roofs; subsurface detention and infiltration; rain barrels or cisterns;
rain gardens; swales; street trees; Greenstreets; permeable pavement
Sewer charge for stormwater
DCP zoning amendments
Parking lots 0.5%
Continue demonstration projects in partnership with MTA and DOT
Swales; permeable pavement; engineered wetlands
Partner with DPR to integrate green infrastructure into capital program
Parks 11.6% Continue demonstration projects in partnership with DPR
Swales; permeable pavement; engineered wetlands
Integrate stormwater management into capital program in partnership with DOE
Schools 1.9%
Rooftop detention; green roofs; subsurface detention and infiltration
Grant programs
Vacant lots 1.9% Potential sewer charge for stormwater
Rain gardens; green gardens
Integrate stormwater management into capital programs
Other public
1.1% Rooftop detention; green roofs; subsurface detention and infiltration; rain barrels; permeable
properties
pavement
Green roof tax credit
Sewer charges for stormwater
Other existing
48.0% Continue demonstration projects and data collection
development
Rooftop detention; green roofs; subsurface detention and infiltration; rain barrels or cisterns;
rain gardens; swales; street trees; Greenstreets; permeable pavement

development trends to create a preliminary assessment of the specific opportunities, volume

reductions, and costs for each of the 13 combined sewer watersheds that are the subject of
the CSO Order. For example, in the Bronx River watershed, the goal of 10% capture over 20
years could be met through a combination of:

 Three percent (3%) impervious area capture by street trees, swales, and sidewalks that
are rebuilt or retrofitted with additional controls;
 Three percent (3%) impervious area capture by performance standards on new and ex-
panded developments that would include bioinfiltration, blue and green roofs, subsur-
face detention/infiltration, or other source controls;
 Three percent (3%) impervious area capture by existing schools, residences, and other
development; and
 One percent (1%) impervious area capture by additional planted areas in open spaces
5
and waterfront areas. 5

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
 To accelerate the implementation of green infrastructure, DEP is building more than 20 demon-
stration projects in collaboration with other city agencies and local authorities, including DPR,
DOT, DOE, NYCHA, and MTA. These demonstration projects are testing techniques that are
appropriate for a variety of land uses:

 Blue roofs and green roofs for rooftop stormwater detention and retention;
 Porous pavement for parking lots;
 Tree pits, streetside swales, and porous pavement for roadways;
 Greenstreets, medians, and curbside extensions for roads;
 Constructed wetlands and swales for parks;
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 A variety of these techniques for high density multi-family housing; and
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 Rain barrels for low density single family housing.
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This Green Infrastructure Plan is an adaptive management strategy ‒ an iterative, flexible deci-
ti- sion-making process where incremental measures are continually evaluated and rejected or
tle] improved. This process produces better decisions about investments and overall resource allo-
cation to achieve water quality objectives. Already, DEP has adjusted its approach to incorpo-
rate conservation strategies. An adaptive management approach is essential given the magni-
tude of investment required to manage stormwater and the wide range of uncertainties about
future conditions, including climate, rainfall, population, water demand, land use, technology,
and regulatory requirements. The effectiveness of adaptive management depends upon DEP’s
ability to measure performance. Accordingly, DEP will recalibrate its sewer system model using
new and better impervious data and recently updated wastewater flow projections and will
model the effects of a combination of detention and infiltration strategies on water quality. DEP
will also assess the hydraulic capacities of the sewer system in key drainage areas.

DEP will monitor CSO events by three methods ‒ water elevation monitoring at Tier 1, 2, and 3
CSO outfalls, flows measured at DEP wastewater treatment plants, and flows measured from
CSO detention facilities ‒ that will enable us to monitor up to 90% of CSO flow volume citywide.
DEP is also seeking to develop the technology necessary to measure actual flows at CSO out-
falls. Finally, DEP will gauge improvements in pathogen concentrations resulting from implemen-
tation of the Green Infrastructure Plan by building upon its network of 57 monitoring stations
across the harbor increasing the number of sampling sites at the mouths of key tributaries.

5. Engage and enlist stakeholders

DEP will also take immediate steps to reduce exposure to potentially harmful waters by replac-
ing the signs at all 422 CSO outfalls to reach non-English speakers, and by improving its website
6 notifications about the risks in recreation after wet weather.

6 Partnerships with numerous community and civic groups and other stakeholders will be neces-
sary to build and maintain green infrastructure. As part of the development of this plan, DEP

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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had several meetings with environmental groups, city agencies, and other potential partners,
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and held a general public meeting to explain its vision for the Green Infrastructure Plan. DEP will me
provide resources and technical support so that communities can propose, build, and main- nt
tain green infrastructure. This is particularly important in environmental justice communities that
need the additional public health and other sustainability benefits of green infrastructure. ti-
tle]
Cities around the world are developing innovative ways to meet the needs of growing popula-
tions. To incubate the practical application of advanced techniques and designs, DEP will
sponsor an international forum about green infrastructure.

7
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
 Overall Performance and Costs
DEP modeling shows that the Green Strategy will reduce more CSO volumes at significantly less
cost to New Yorkers than the all-Grey Strategy currently contemplated under the CSO Order
and Facility Plans submitted to DEC. The Green Infrastructure Plan builds on DEP’s Cost-Effective
Grey Infrastructure with investments that will provide both water quality and other public sus-
tainability benefits. Over 20 years, DEP projects that the Green Infrastructure Plan will reduce
CSO volumes from approximately 30 billion gallons a year to approximately 17.9 bgy (Figure 1).
This is nearly 2 billion gallons lower CSO volume per year than would be achieved by the Grey
Strategy (Figure 1).

[Ty Figure 1: Predicted CSO Volume*

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GREEN STRATEGY GREY STRATEGY
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2045 BASELINE - PROJECTION

cu FROM 2007 FACILITY PLANS

-5,666 built/under construction

-5,666 built/under construction
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nt -2,602 planned -2,547 planned

ti- 21,698 -1,701 21,753 -1,945 19,808

20,000
tle]
Annual CSO Volume (mgy)

-1,514
17,896
-586

15,000

10,000

5,000

-
Cost-Effective Reduced Flow Green Optimize Green Strategy Cost-Effective Potential Tanks, Grey Strategy
Grey Infrastructure Existing System Grey Tunnels, &
Investments (10% Capture) Investments Expansions
(Built & (Built &
Planned) Planned)

* Notes for Figure 1: (1) Volume is calculated over a 20-year implementation timeline, based on a 2045 CSO volume projection as a start-
ing point. (2) While DEP is pursuing many efforts to optimize the existing system today, its additional efforts concerning interceptor reha-
bilitation, tide gate rehabilitation, and reduced flows are all included as part of the Green Strategy and not the Grey Strategy. That is
because those elements were not considered or credited as part of the Facility Plans that are currently before DEC. (3) The Cost-
Effective Grey Investments under the Grey Strategy do not include certain interceptor and bending weir projects for the 26th Ward
wastewater treatment plant since they would not be necessary if the 26th Ward wastewater treatment plant wet weather expansion
has to be built. The interceptor and bending weir projects are included in the Green Strategy that would defer expansion. This ac-

8
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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Figure 2: Phasing of Green Infrastructure and Grey Infrastructure Benefits cu
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The significant sustainability benefits of the Green Strategy ‒ which are not available through
the Grey Strategy ‒ would begin to accrue immediately and build over time, in contrast to
tanks, tunnels, and expansions, which provide only water quality benefits at the end of a dec-
ades-long design and construction period (Figure 2).

The green infrastructure component – capturing 10% of the impervious area of combined sew-
er watersheds – would cost approximately $1.5 billion in public funds compared to $3.9 billion in
public funds for additional grey investments (Figure 3). The overall cost of the Green

Figure 3: Citywide Costs of CSO Control Scenarios (after 20 years)

$8.0

$7.0 $6.8

$6.0
Cost ($ Billions in 2010 Dollars)

$5.3
$0.03
$5.0
$0.9 $3.9

$2.4
$4.0
$1.5

$3.0

$2.0

$2.9 $2.9
$1.0

$-
Green Strategy Grey Strategy
9
Cost-Effective Grey Investments Reduced Flow
Green Infrastructure - Public Investment Green Infrastructure - Private Investment 9
Optimize Existing System Potential Tanks, Tunnels, & Expansions

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
 Infrastructure Plan would be approximately $5.3 billion, $1.5 billion less than the $6.8 billion
required for the Grey Strategy (Figure 3).3

The greater overall efficiency of the Green Strategy is critical for continued ratepayer and citi-
zen support for additional water quality measures in light of competing social needs.

Green infrastructure will allow DEP to leverage opportunities to build cost-effective stormwater
controls in new development at an incremental cost. DEP predicts that about 40% of green in-
frastructure investments over the next 20 years would be made in connection with new devel-
opment if there were a rule to limit the release rate of runoff. That standard will provide for the
capture of approximately two inches of precipitation. New development performance stand-
ards will provide a base level of green infrastructure across the city, in both combined sewer
[Ty and non-combined sewer watersheds.
pe
Green infrastructure costs vary widely across watersheds, but in general are approximately $1
the to $2 per gallon of CSO avoided. The average cost is less than Potential Tanks, Tunnels, and
do Expansions. DEP will invest in those areas where green infrastructure is the most cost-effective
cu and will ensure that private sector green infrastructure investments throughout the city are rea-
sonable.
me
nt Green infrastructure, moreover, would be spread throughout the city and would provide many
additional sustainability benefits. After a 20-year period, DEP estimates that New Yorkers would
ti- receive between $139 million and $418 million in additional benefits through reduced energy
tle] bills, increased property values, and improved health. A citywide policy to support green infra-
structure would also help to address future regulatory requirements to manage stormwater in
the separately sewered areas.

None of these benefits accrue through an all-Grey Strategy. Tanks, tunnels, and expansions are
single-function items and lay dormant unless there is a storm of sufficient size. These large in-
vestments have long lead times for design and construction and are subject to intervening risks
from changes in climate, labor, and economic conditions as well as regulatory requirements.
Tanks, tunnels, and expansions also contain a significant amount of embedded energy ‒ i.e.,
the greenhouse gas emissions and materials in their construction ‒ involve significant amounts
of construction-related air and other emissions, will require energy for pumping when in use,
and are labor-intensive. For example, it costs approximately $3.1 million every year to operate
the newly-built Flushing Creek CSO detention facility.

Given these factors, the Green Infrastructure Plan presents more balanced benefits and fewer
risks to the City. By pursuing a basket of different pollution control strategies with smaller foot-
prints that can be adjusted, supplanted, and changed over the 20-year investment timeline of
the plan, the City will gain knowledge through experience, improve effectiveness, and reduce
costs.

10
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3 A CSO detention tunnel for the Newtown Creek drainage area, for example, is estimated to cost $1.3 billion. (See Tables 7 and 9, in
The Green Infrastructure Plan section.)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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Next steps me
To implement this Green Infrastructure Plan, the City is prepared to spend up to $1.5 billion over nt
20 years, including approximately $187 million in capital funds over the next four years, to build ti-
green infrastructure. These commitments depend upon acceptance by DEC and EPA of the
tle]
Green Infrastructure Plan as an alternative to the current all-Grey Strategy that costs billions
more, reduces less CSO volume, and foregoes sustainability co-benefits. Additional grey infra-
structure should be pursued only if more effective and beneficial green infrastructure invest-
ments fail. The City seeks to immediately engage with DEC to incorporate the Green
Infrastructure Plan into the existing CSO Order and the 14 separate LTCPs required by 2017. DEP
will also work with the EPA, community leaders, environmental groups, and other stakeholders
to seek consensus on the scope and duration of our green infrastructure commitments.

Over the next year, the City will take a number of concrete steps to begin early implementa-
tion of the Green Infrastructure Plan. These actions include:

1. Preparing a Green Infrastructure Fund;

2. Creating an inter-agency partnership – the Green Infrastructure Task Force – to incorpo-
rate stormwater management into roadway, sidewalk, and other capital projects and to
provide for the maintenance of green infrastructure;
3. Building green infrastructure demonstration projects on a variety of land uses;
4. Partnering with community groups to develop programs for the construction and
maintenance of green infrastructure;
5. Launching a comprehensive program to increase optimization of the existing system, in-
cluding drainage plans, hydraulic studies, the survey and rehabilitation of 136 miles of in-
terceptor sewers in two years, the inspection and repair of tide gates, and programs to
prevent grease from obstructing the sewers;
6. Developing a stormwater management standard for new construction and redevelop-
ment that expands existing development;
7. Piloting sewer charges for stormwater for stand-alone parking lots;
8. Refining DEP models by including new impervious cover data and extending predictions
to ambient water quality;
9. Identifying other funding for additional elements of the Green Infrastructure Plan; and
10. Replacing all CSO outfall signs to reduce potential exposure.

11
11

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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INTRODUCTION
cu
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Water quality in New York Harbor: ti-
past, present, and future tle]

The New York Harbor is cleaner than it has been in 100 years as the City has steadily eliminated
public health threats. The first sewer systems conveyed untreated sewage out of crowded
neighborhoods and directly into the Harbor, based on the need at that time to prevent epi-
demics caused by sewage in streets and contamination in shallow groundwater wells. As the
near-shore waters became too polluted to use, except for industrial and maritime commerce,
and rising income and awareness led to public demands for both clean land and a clean
harbor, the City built the first wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the 1890s and a network
of large pipes to intercept sewers at their former discharge points and to convey wastewater to
the plants. By the late 1980s, with the end of most raw sewage discharges, pathogen levels
dropped in many areas of the Harbor by 99 percent, and most open waters in the Harbor
achieved a level of quality that makes boating and other recreational activities possible.

Today, DEP treats an average of 1.3 billion gallons of wastewater a day over the course of a
year, inclusive of all dry and wet weather flows. This tremendous flow is conveyed by 7,400 miles
of lateral sewers, 149 miles of interceptor sewers, and 113 pump stations, and is treated at 14
WWTPs. DEP plants have plenty of capacity to handle New York City’s wastewater in dry
weather and during most storms; 13 are designed with a capacity of double dry weather flows
(the Oakwood Beach WWTP accepts sanitary flow only and its drainage area is a separated
sewer area). After billions of dollars of past and current investments in upgrades at the WWTPs,
harborwide pathogen and dissolved oxygen levels are now consistently better than state
standards.

As a result, most areas in the Harbor are safe for recreational activities year-round, giving the
public meaningful access to water (Figure 4, following page). In addition, the City is building or
rehabilitating waterfront parks, esplanades, housing, and other areas to accommodate water-
related uses. Of the 156 square miles on the New York side of the harbor, 116 square miles or
75% of the area meets state pathogen standards, the limiting factor for primary contact
recreation. That water quality supports over 14 miles of public bathing beaches that were able
to accommodate 7.7 million visitors in 2009.

A significant portion of the Harbor is also available for fishing and boating. This area represents
29.4 square miles or 19% of the New York side of the Harbor that is classified for secondary con-
tact recreation where the water quality meets applicable pathogen standards (Figure 4). This is
in addition to Raritan Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, where commercial harvesting of shellfish is
allowed. While recreational fishing is widely available, in many areas New York State has
adopted advisories not to consume fish because of contaminated sediments from historic
industrial pollution and current air deposition of mercury and other contaminants that are unre-
lated to ongoing CSOs.

The City’s smallest, most impaired tributaries comprise less than 7% of the water area in the
Harbor; much of those areas support manufacturing and shipping, including the largest tug- 13
boat fleet and maritime services industry on the East Coast, the largest commuter ferry system

INTRODUCTION
 Figure 4: Current Water Quality Standards and Public Access Points

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14
Information from the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance

INTRODUCTION
 [Ty
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in the country, distribution and warehouse districts, and the remnants of New York City’s manu- cu
facturing sector. Achieving recreational water quality standards in these tributaries will require
billions of dollars in public and private investments. me
nt
As DEP looks to the future, it is critical that its investments be made based on scientific assess-
ment of their overall impact on water quality, consensus about the value of additional recrea-
ti-
tional areas, and key sustainability measures such as PlaNYC’s goal of reducing greenhouse tle]
gas emissions by 30%. Over the past ten years, the City has invested more capital funds in envi-
ronmental protection than on other critical municipal functions, including education, transpor-
tation, and housing (Table 2). These relative levels of spending are not sustainable unless there
are compelling reasons for further spending on water quality measures that have broad sup-
port.

Table 2: Water Quality and Other New York City Capital Investments (FY 2002-2009)*

Category FY 2002 FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 Total Share
Environmental Protection 1,871 1,380 1,714 2,339 1,741 3,689 3,050 2,174 17,958 28%
Education 1,350 984 612 2,208 2,030 3,238 3,337 2,866 16,625 26%
Transportation 359 1,155 877 692 579 650 1,183 918 6,413 10%
Parks & Public Buildings 336 328 319 303 389 571 710 692 3,648 6%
Technology & Equipment 225 213 180 297 410 706 864 664 3,559 6%
Housing 438 313 283 423 356 299 453 358 2,923 5%
Economic Development 193 255 221 215 168 175 398 373 1,998 3%
Public Protection 300 290 164 186 289 250 260 257 1,996 3%
Hospitals 121 104 90 451 307 230 231 281 1,815 3%
Sanitation 216 159 140 137 77 189 173 171 1,262 2%
All Other 804 618 434 519 470 547 1,046 777 5,215 8%
Total Commitments 6,213 5,799 5,034 7,770 6,816 10,544 11,705 9,531 63,412 100%

Source: New York City Office of the Comptroller, Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Fiscal Years 2002-2009.
*All values in millions of dollars except for “Share” column.

The Clean Water Act’s regulatory structure directs municipalities to meet water quality stand-
ards where attainable, not to reduce discharges for the sake of reduction. DEP has examined
those areas of the Harbor where water quality standards are not yet met and has analyzed the
sources of impairment. The biggest remaining challenges within New York City’s control are to
reduce discharges of nitrogen from DEP’s WWTPs and to limit combined sewer overflows (CSOs)
to levels that do not affect water quality.

Almost two-thirds of New York City’s sewered system is a combined sewer that collects
wastewater and stormwater runoff from properties and streets. During heavy rainfall or snow-
melt, excess flows through the plant can wash out the biological unit’s organisms that break
down and treat waste. To protect the treatment plants and to prevent upstream flooding dur-
ing high rainfall, New York City’s 149 miles of interceptor sewers are designed with “regulators”
that have overflow weirs to divert combined stormwater and wastewater into New York City’s
surrounding waterways when storm flows exceed the capacity of the system. These are com-
bined sewer overflows or CSOs. New York City’s combined sewer system has 422 sewer regula-
tors that can discharge CSOs. These CSO outfalls are classified by tiers depending on the vol-
ume of annual discharge: Tier 1 outfalls discharge over 500 million gallons per year (mgy) and
comprise roughly 50% of all CSO volumes, Tier 2 outfalls discharge between 250 to 500 mgy and
make-up an additional 20% of CSO volume, and Tier 3 outfalls discharge between 50.7 to 250
mgy and make-up an additional 10% of CSO volume (See Figure 5). 15

INTRODUCTION
 Figure 5: Combined Sewer Overflow Outfalls and Wastewater Treatment Plant Drainage Areas

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The CSO outfalls cannot be simply “plugged up;” if they were, the combined flow would de-
stroy elements of the system and would cause even greater discharges over time. Over the
past 20 years, DEP’s upgrades to its plants and sewers and its construction of storage tanks
have allowed the capture of an ever greater amount of overall CSO volume, from approxi-
mately 30% annually in the 1980s to over 72% today. New York City’s CSOs were approximately
30% sanitary waste; today that percentage has dropped to 12%. The reduction of CSO volume
varies by watershed, as does the impact of CSOs on water quality. That is because water quali-
ty also depends upon other sources of pollution, the strength of tidal flows, and historic dredg-
ing, filling, or other alterations to the waterbed (topographically speaking, “bathymetry”), that
affect flows and the mixing of surface and deep waters. In many of NYC’s tributaries, water
16 quality standards would not be attained even if the wastewater plants could stop discharging
altogether or if all CSOs were eliminated.

INTRODUCTION
 [Ty
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DEP’s program to control combined sewer overflows cu
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To further reduce CSOs, New York City is in the midst of an unprecedented period of capital in- nt
vestment. These projects have been agreed to by DEP in a 2005 Administrative Consent Order
with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), DEC file no. CO2- ti-
20000107-8, as modified in 2008 by Order on Consent DEC file no. CO2-2007-0101-1 (the CSO tle]
Order or the Consent Order). On CSOs alone, the City has spent over $1.5 billion on sewer, reg-
ulator, and pumping station improvements as well as an upgrade of the CSO storage facility at
Spring Creek and the construction of new CSO storage tanks at Flushing Creek, Alley Creek,
and Paerdegat Basin. The planned investments include approximately $2 billion for additional
CSO control measures. Through these measures, the City is projected to reduce its CSOs by
over 8.3 billion gallons per year compared to the baseline case. DEP is investing billions more in
WWTP and sewer upgrades unrelated to CSOs (See The Green Infrastructure Plan, Tables 6 and
8).

Many of these CSO-related programs were recommended by DEP in June 2007, when it submit-
ted Waterbody Watershed CSO Facility Plans (Facility Plans) to DEC pursuant to the CSO Order.
The 2007 Facility Plans analyzed the efficacy of ongoing and possible infrastructure upgrades
towards improving pathogens and dissolved oxygen, the applicable water quality standards,
cost, and constructability. Some of the ongoing infrastructure upgrades, such as the CSO de-
tention tanks built or underway in Flushing Creek, Alley Creek, and Paerdegat Basin, scored well
on the cost-benefit curve, and these are included in the Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure
Investments. Other alternatives would have cost more to improve water quality. The Cost-
Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments in the CSO program results in significant CSO reduc-
tions and are projected to enable many of the waterbodies to achieve substantial compliance
with existing water quality standards for pathogens. The full benefits of many of these projects
will not be realized for a decade or more, but some will provide near-term benefits.

DEP must prepare watershed-specific Long Term Control Plans (LTCPs) for 13 waterbodies with
the final citywide LTCP due to be submitted by the end of 2017. The LTCPs will assess the need
for and recommend the implementation of measures to further improve water quality, includ-
ing Potential Tanks, Tunnels, and Expansions and any alternatives.

There are several significant items that are included in the Facility Plans that DEP now believes
are not cost-effective or provide limited benefits. These are CSO storage tanks in the
Westchester Creek and Hutchinson River watersheds, large CSO storage tunnels in the Flushing
Bay and Newtown Creek watersheds, and certain expansions of the Jamaica and 26th Ward
wastewater treatment plants (collectively, these are referred to as Potential Tanks, Tunnels, and
Expansions).

Sustainability and DEP’s water quality initiatives

While water quality is and must remain the touchstone for DEP’s investments, the alternatives it
considers must also meet the City’s sustainability goals. PlaNYC provides a holistic framework for
meeting the City’s housing, open space, energy, transportation, and environmental infrastruc-
ture needs over the next 20 years. PlaNYC initiatives typically make progress towards several
goals at the same time. The MillionTreesNYC initiative, for example, improves open space and
reduces greenhouse gas emissions and energy use. Congestion pricing and other traffic mitiga- 17
tion measures are designed to improve transportation infrastructure and financing, and to re-

INTRODUCTION
 duce air pollution. The PlaNYC framework gives greater weight to those CSO reduction alterna-
tives that make the City more sustainable.

A sustainable approach leads to management of stormwater at its source through the creation
of vegetated areas and other green infrastructure. PlaNYC committed the City to build more
Bluebelts and Greenstreets, to require green parking lots, to incentivize green roofs, and to form
an Inter-agency Best Management Practices Task Force. The Sustainable Stormwater
Management Plan issued by that Task Force concluded that green infrastructure was feasible
in some areas and could be more cost-effective than certain large infrastructure projects such
as CSO storage tunnels. This Green Infrastructure Plan builds upon and extends the commit-
ments made in the Sustainable Stormwater Management Plan.

[Ty While municipalities such as Seattle, Portland, Chicago, and Philadelphia have experimented
with efforts to manage stormwater through sidewalk planters, swales, porous alleys, and plant-
pe ed roofs, such measures have not been widely credited towards meeting obligations under the
the Clean Water Act’s regulatory system. In 2007, however, the EPA and four national environmen-
tal groups jointly issued a statement encouraging the use of green infrastructure by cities and
do wastewater treatment plants as a prominent component of CSO programs. The EPA has since
cu adopted guidance that encourages reliance upon green infrastructure as a preferred alterna-
tive to meeting regulatory obligations. (See Memorandum on Using Green Infrastructure to
me
Improve Water Quality in Stormwater, CSO, Nonpoint Source, and other Water Programs
nt (March 5, 2007); Memorandum on the Use of Green Infrastructure in NPDES Permits and
ti- Enforcement (August 16, 2007)). DEC has also published a Stormwater Management Design
Manual that contains green infrastructure designs for controlling stormwater at its source, and
tle] has inventoried examples in the Hudson Valley. In Fall 2009, Philadelphia submitted a proposed
LTCP update to the EPA that would rely exclusively on green infrastructure to control CSOs over
a 20-year planning horizon; as of the date of this plan the EPA had not made a decision about
whether to accept this approach in an LTCP.

DEP had prepared its 2007 Facility Plans before the EPA had adopted relevant guidance or
PlaNYC was published, and consequently did not include a full analysis of green infrastructure
alternatives for controlling CSOs. In comments on DEP’s 2007 Facility Plans, community and en-
vironmental groups voiced widespread support for green infrastructure and urged that DEP
place greater reliance upon that sustainable strategy. In a June 2010 public meeting on ele-
ments of this Green Infrastructure Plan, DEP also received overwhelming endorsement of the
green infrastructure approach.

This Green Infrastructure Plan incorporates EPA’s, DEC’s, and the public’s comments about us-
ing green approaches to meet regulatory commitments. This report specifies the expected re-
ductions of CSOs in each of the in-city combined sewer watersheds that would follow from
various on-site stormwater controls and efforts to make the existing system function more
efficiently. As demonstrated by our modeling, the use of green infrastructure in combination
with other strategies will be more effective at controlling CSOs than former proposals to use all
grey strategy and will also help meet key sustainability goals such as, cooling the city, reducing
energy costs, and increasing property values.

This Green Infrastructure Plan proposes a hybrid approach that includes certain Cost-Effective
Grey Infrastructure projects, conservation, green infrastructure, and measures to optimize the
existing system to control CSOs. DEP will seek DEC’s partnership in this effort to implement the
18 Green Infrastructure Plan, to evaluate its success and make mid-course adjustments, and to
evaluate attainment of water quality standards in LTCPs.

INTRODUCTION
 PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AND
ESTIMATED COSTS
Overview of Grey and Green Strategies and
modeling methods
For this plan, DEP evaluated the impact of two different infrastructure investment strategies for
reducing CSOs – a Green Strategy and a Grey Strategy. To assess the future performance of
capital projects, DEP used a sophisticated computer model that has been tested and
calibrated against past rainfall events to develop the best possible estimate of future CSO
flows. The use of models is a state-of-the-art industry practice and is well accepted by
regulators and utilities. The model used by DEP is based on the commercially-available
InfoWorks mathematical modeling software for urban hydrology and has been customized for
well over a decade to account for the unique flow characteristics of New York City’s sewer
system. It uses information for 25,000 catchments, 7,500 pipes, 6,000 manholes, regulators, and
other features, and predicts overland runoff routing in New York City’s topography. The general
model is described in the Appendix.

The InfoWorks model was used in the preparation of 2007 Facility Plans and its essential
characteristics were kept intact in this report. DEP made minor adjustments to the model to
reflect the elements of Grey and Green Strategies, including the Cost-Effective Grey Infrastruc-
ture Investments, Potential Tanks, Tunnels, and Expansions, green infrastructure, reduced
wastewater flows, and optimization of the existing sewer network. These elements are
described in greater detail below and in the Appendix. Using InfoWorks to simulate sanitary and
stormwater flow through the City’s sewer system, DEP modeled CSO discharges to each
waterbody under each strategy, using rainfall from 1988 ‒ a year used in past regulatory filings.
Further details about the assumptions and modeling methodology are provided in the
Appendix.

The CSO volume projections that are presented in this Green Infrastructure Plan are preliminary.
As described in Next Steps, DEP is recalibrating the InfoWorks model using updated geospatial
data about the extent and distribution of impervious surfaces in the City and 2030 dry weather
flow projections. DEP will then model combined detention-infiltration scenarios to estimate CSO
volumes and the projected impact on ambient water quality conditions.

Grey Strategy modeling assumptions

The Grey Strategy that DEP modeled includes two main elements: Cost-Effective Grey
Infrastructure Investments and Potential Tanks, Tunnels, and Expansions.

Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments are the infrastructure elements included in the
Facility Plans submitted to DEC under the CSO Order, with the exception of the Newtown Creek
and Flushing Bay Tunnels and expansion of the wet weather capacity at the Jamaica and 26th 19
Ward WWTPs. The Westchester and Hutchinson CSO Detention Tanks were not part of DEP’s

PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AND ESTIMATED COSTS

 proposals in the Facility Plans but have been the subject of discussions with DEC and may be
required to be analyzed in LTCPs; these tanks are also excluded from the category of Cost-
Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments in this plan. DEP has since concluded that these very
expensive projects are not cost-effective and will not have a meaningful impact on CSO
volume or water quality. Those projects are not recommended for construction in the Green
Infrastructure Plan.

The Potential Tanks, Tunnels, and Expansions are the Newtown Creek and Flushing Bay CSO
Detention Tunnels, the Hutchinson and Westchester CSO Detention Tanks, and the Jamaica
and 26th Ward WWTP wet weather expansions. These projects are evaluated because they are
either required by the CSO Order, are currently proposed in Facility Plans, or will be under
consideration as part of the City’s LTCPs.

The Facility Plans included modeling predictions for 2045 following the construction of these
projects. In this report, the CSO reductions have been slightly modified from the Facility Plan
submissions based on updates to the underlying InfoWorks model. Most aspects of the model
runs for the Grey Strategy are consistent with previous submissions, including the highly
conservative 2045 flow projections that were used in the 2007 Facility Plans, which projected
future consumption using 161 gallons per capita per day for new development.

Green Strategy modeling assumptions

The Green Strategy includes three main elements: Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Invest-
ments, System Optimization and Reduced Flow, and Green Infrastructure.

Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments are the infrastructure elements included in the
Facility Plans submitted to DEC under the CSO Order, with the exception of the Newtown Creek
and Flushing Bay Tunnels, the Westchester and Hutchinson CSO Detention Tanks, and the wet
weather expansion projects at the Jamaica and 26th Ward WWTPs. This category is identical to
that analyzed under the Grey Strategy.

System Optimization reduces CSOs by increasing the capacity of the system to handle wet
weather flows. DEP’s entire program will institutionalize a higher level of system optimization
than we have been able to achieve in the past, and will complement the major capital
improvements that will be analyzed as part of the LTCPs. DEP seeks to improve on its best
management system for operations and maintenance through a comprehensive series of
management initiatives that are memorialized in the Green Infrastructure Plan. The modeling in
this report quantifies only a few of these initiatives ‒ the programs to survey and rehabilitate
interceptors and tide gates ‒ and these programs alone are estimated to reduce CSOs by at
least 586 mgy.

This estimate is extremely conservative because it is not yet possible to model the impacts of
surveying and rehabilitating all the interceptors or the impacts of various DEP initiatives to
prevent pollution from reaching our lateral collection sewers, to proactively clean sewers, and
to pilot adjustments to weir elevations in sewer regulator chambers, inflatable dams and
bending weirs. For example, interceptors convey and store combined flow before the
elevation of the tipping weirs is exceeded. DEP’s modeling reflected sediment removed from
three interceptors leading to the 26th Ward, Jamaica, and Tallman Island WWTPs. Once data
20 becomes available for interceptors in the other 11 CSO watersheds, DEP will model the effects

PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AND ESTIMATED COSTS

of rehabilitation in those locations as well. Accordingly, DEP’s predictions about overall CSO
capture will likely increase and predicted CSO volumes will decrease.

In addition, DEP modeled the impact of tide gate repairs in the Coney Island, Newtown Creek,
and Wards Island WWTP drainage areas. In other WWTP drainage areas where the plants
operate at or below the permit influent limits of 400 mg/l in chlorides concentrations, DEP
assumed that tidal water is not a major contributor to flows. But our tide gate inspection and
rehabilitation program may find other areas in need of repair, and future modeling will reflect
that information.

The Reduced Flow element reflects recent declines in water consumption, which DEP expects
to be able to maintain in the future. Water consumption for all uses – drinking, cooking,
cleaning, and flushing – increases sanitary flows, which take up sewer and plant capacity that
could otherwise be used to convey and treat wet weather flows. The 2045 baseline used in the
Facility Plan submissions did not reflect the City’s conservation initiatives and water use trends.
Since submitting those plans, DEP has revised its projections of sanitary flows over the 20-year
implementation horizon for the Green Infrastructure Plan. Specifically, for purposes of modeling
under this plan, DEP assumed that 2030 flows would be similar to the highest measured flows in
recent years – i.e., 2005 flows for all watersheds except Newtown Creek, where 2008 flows were
used because they were higher than 2005 flows. These assumptions are conservative because
water consumption and wastewater flows have already declined considerably from 2005
levels; in 2009 wastewater flows were 62 mgd below 2005 levels. Since modeling the Reduced
Flow scenario, DEP has prepared new projections of future wastewater flows that confirm the
2005 flows used in this report’s modeling provide a reasonable estimate of future flows through
the year 2030 for most wastewater treatment plants. In future modeling, DEP will use predicted
2030 flows for all plants. (See Modeling Methodology in the Appendix for more information on
flow assumptions.)

DEP’s modeling of Green Infrastructure assumed the capture and infiltration of the first inch of
rainfall on 10% of existing impervious surfaces in each combined sewer watershed. DEP expects
that green infrastructure will be implemented as a combination of infiltration and detention
technologies. Detention is more realistic in the many areas of New York City that have low
percolating soils, high bedrock, high groundwater table, underground utilities, and other
characteristics that make infiltration infeasible. Therefore, DEP is developing an approach to
model detention scenarios, a more complex undertaking than modeling infiltration scenarios.
For example, based on one catchment area modeled to date, DEP projects that detention of
one inch of rain is 60% less effective than infiltration of one inch of rain. As DEP is considering a
stormwater management performance standard for new development that will effectively
require the detention of two inches of rain, CSO capture predicted by the detention and
infiltration model in the near future should be roughly equivalent to the CSO capture predicted
by the infiltration model alone in this report. (See Impervious area assumptions below.)

Cost estimation methodology

Public Grey Infrastructure costs (Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments and Potential
Tanks, Tunnels, and Expansions) were based on construction costs developed for the Facility
Plan submitted to DEC, adjusted to 2010 dollars. The underlying costs were conservative
because they were developed in 2007 during a construction boom in the City. Future years
may or may not reflect the tight labor and material markets of 2007. 21

PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AND ESTIMATED COSTS

 Green Infrastructure costs were derived separately for right-of-way projects and on-site
projects. (See Appendix for additional details.) These costs are conservative because as the
industry matures some green infrastructure costs, other than labor and material costs, are likely
to decrease. Costs per acre were developed in 2010 dollars, allocated to ROW and on-site
parcels based on the proportion of each opportunity area in each watershed. On average,
27% of the watersheds’ land area consists of ROW and 73% of the area is on-site development;
overall costs were developed based on this ratio of opportunities and the different costs of
building in those areas, as explained below. The Green Infrastructure Plan contemplates that in
the East River and Open Waters watershed, where we already meet current water quality
standards, green infrastructure investment will principally come from the private sector as
public funds are spent on higher priority areas.

Costs of green infrastructure for the right-of-way: The costs of green infrastructure to be built on
sidewalks and streets are based on actual demonstration projects that are built or bid out by
DEP. DEP’s estimates included actual line item costs for New York City materials and labor, less
the line items that are unique to demonstration projects, such as soil moisture meters, rain
gauges, and other monitoring devices and associated labor. Costs depend on design and
type of green infrastructure; DEP chose a sidewalk swale as a typical right-of-way technology.
Our estimates were based upon the lower end of the range of costs, in anticipation of
maturation in the industry and future economies of scale. Swales are expected to cost $30,000
each to construct and twenty 200-square-foot swales with trees are needed to capture the first
inch on one acre of impervious runoff. Accordingly, the total cost to capture the first inch of
rain on 1 acre of impervious surfaces in the right-of-way is $600,000 for construction costs plus
$120,000 for design and construction management. (See the Appendix for cost details.)

Costs of green infrastructure for on-site development, including new development: There are a
wide range of practices that can be used to control runoff from existing and new develop-
ment. On the low end of the range is rooftop detention (or “blue roofs”); in the middle range
are subsurface infiltration/detention techniques such as stormchambers, gravel beds, and
perforated pipes; and on the high end, due in part to the cost of vegetation, are bioinfiltration
and green roof technologies. Even though we expect that blue roofs will be the technology of
choice on new construction due to their low cost, there are inherent limitations for retrofitting
existing development with blue roofs, including roof slope and structural integrity. To be
conservative, therefore, DEP’s estimate is based upon the costs of perforated pipes, a mid-level
technology. Based on the costs of New York City labor and materials, it would cost $200,000 to
install these systems. (See the Appendix for cost details.)

Impervious area assumptions: While the goal of the Green Strategy is to capture runoff from
10% of impervious areas in combined sewer watersheds, DEP conservatively assumed that 15%
of the impervious area of each watershed would be needed to meet the 10% capture goal,
because it is more likely that a combination of detention and infiltration technologies will
actually be used to manage stormwater. Combined detention and infiltration scenarios will be
evaluated in the next phase of modeling described in Next Steps.

Reduced Flow strategies are expected to require little incremental expenditure as water
consumption and wastewater flows have been on the decline in recent years. The combina-
tion of Automated Meter Reading, the ability of customers to track water usage, and national
water efficient fixture standards is expected to keep flows stable. Should flows begin to
increase over the next 20 years beyond levels modeled here, DEP is prepared to implement
22
additional conservation measures, such as toilet and other fixture rebate programs, but these
costs are expected to be nominal.

PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AND ESTIMATED COSTS

Interceptor and Tide Gate Rehabilitation costs. Interceptor rehabilitation costs were calculated
using the amount of sediment in each interceptor (based on sonar surveys) and DEP’s actual
costs of $280 for each cubic yard of sediment and other material that has been or will be
removed. Tide gate rehabilitation costs were calculated based on the identification of three
WWTP drainage areas where tidal inflow is contributing appreciably to plant flows, the number
of tide gates in each of the three identified WWTP drainage areas, and $5,000 per tide gate
repair.

Predicted performance and estimated costs of each

strategy
Predicted citywide CSO reductions
Under the Grey Strategy, DEP predicts that there would be approximately 19.8 bgy in CSO
volume after full implementation (Figure 6, following page), 10 bgy less than the approximately
30 bgy baseline in 2045 used in the Facility Plans.

Under the Green Strategy, DEP predicts that there would be approximately 17.9 bgy in CSO
volume in 2030 (Figure 6, following page), nearly 2 bgy less than the Grey Strategy. Green
infrastructure alone would reduce CSOs by approximately 1.5 bgy and reduced water
consumption would reduce CSO volumes by approximately 1.7 bgy (the equivalent CSO
reduction predicted for the Potential Tanks, Tunnels, and Expansions currently under considera-
tion).

While DEP is pursuing many efforts to optimize the existing system today, interceptor rehabilita-
tion, tide gate rehabilitation, and reduced flows are all included as part of the Green Strategy
and not the Grey Strategy. That is because those elements were not considered or credited as
part of the CSO reduction plan proposed in the Facility Plans submitted to DEC. The Green
Infrastructure Plan is DEP's first effort to integrate all of these elements into a comprehensive
CSO reduction program.

Detailed information about CSO volume reduction for each component is available in Table 5:
Predicted Performance and Estimated Costs for Grey and Green Strategies. These model
predictions lead to the conclusion that a Green Strategy can, over a 20-year period, reduce
CSO volumes more than future tanks, tunnels, and expansions, and provide substantial,
quantifiable sustainability benefits.

23

PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AND ESTIMATED COSTS

 Figure 6: Predicted CSO Volume*

GREEN STRATEGY GREY STRATEGY

30,000
2045 BASELINE - PROJECTION
FROM 2007 FACILITY PLANS

-5,666 built/under construction -5,666 built/under construction

25,000

-2,602 planned -2,547 planned

21,698 -1,701 21,753 -1,945 19,808

20,000
Annual CSO Volume (mgy)

-1,514
17,896
-586

15,000

10,000

5,000

-
Cost-Effective Reduced Flow Green Optimize Green Strategy Cost-Effective Potential Tanks, Grey Strategy
Grey Infrastructure Existing System Grey Tunnels, &
Investments (10% Capture) Investments Expansions
(Built & (Built &
Planned) Planned)

* Notes for Figure 6: (1) Volume is calculated over a 20-year implementation timeline, based on a 2045 CSO volume projection as a start-
ing point. (2) While DEP is pursuing many efforts to optimize the existing system today, its additional efforts concerning interceptor reha-
bilitation, tide gate rehabilitation, and reduced flows are all included as part of the Green Strategy and not the Grey Strategy. That is
because those elements were not considered or credited as part of the Facility Plans that are currently before DEC. (3) The Cost-
Effective Grey Investments under the Grey Strategy do not include certain interceptor and bending weir projects for the 26th Ward
wastewater treatment plant since they would not be necessary if the 26th Ward wastewater treatment plant wet weather expansio n
has to be built. The interceptor and bending weir projects are included in the Green Strategy that would defer expansion. This ac-
counts for the projected 55 million gallon per year difference in planned Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments between the
two scenarios.

24

PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AND ESTIMATED COSTS

 Predicted CSO reductions by watershed

DEP’s modeling predicts greater overall CSO reductions from the Green Strategy compared to
the Grey Strategy. This trend holds in most CSO watersheds; specifically, the Green Strategy is
predicted to provide greater CSO reductions than the Grey Strategy in the nine watersheds
where a tank or tunnel is not under consideration (Figure 7).

In only four CSO watersheds, the Green Strategy is not predicted to match the CSO volume
reduction of Potential Tanks, Tunnels, and Expansions. DEP’s preliminary analysis shows this to be
true in Flushing Bay, Hutchinson Creek, Newtown Creek, and Westchester Creek, where the
Grey Strategy includes enormous CSO storage tunnels or tanks. For these watersheds, it is
necessary to assess whether the gap in CSO reduction will translate to a significant impact on
water quality. In addition to water quality, the strategies need to be considered in the context
of relevant legal standards, the appropriate uses of waterways, overall public benefits, and
costs.

Figure 7: CSO Volume by Watershed (after full implementation)*

1,600 1,499
1,438

1,400
Green Strategy Grey Strategy

1,200 1,166
1,063
Annual CSO Volume (mgy)

1,024

1,000
857

800
594
555
600 506
457 438
392 395
368
400 341 317 322
258 261 276
220 200
200
32 42

0
Alley Creek Bergen & Bronx River Coney Flushing Bay Flushing Gowanus Hutchinson Jamaica Newtown Paerdegat Westchester
Thurston Island Creek Creek Canal Creek Bay & CSO Creek Basin Creek
Tributaries

* Notes for Figure 7: (1) This preliminary analysis is for CSO volume only; DEP’s second report will show the impact of the Green Strategy
and the Grey Strategy on water quality by watershed. (2) Figure 7 does not include the large East River and Open Waters watershed
because of limitations of scale; the annual CSO volume for the Grey Strategy in the East River and Open Waters is 13,289 mgy and the
annual CSO volume for the Green Strategy is 11,394 mgy. Here, water quality standards are or will be attained through investments that
have already been completed or are underway.

25

PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AND ESTIMATED COSTS

 The value of sustainability benefits of the Green Infrastructure Plan

The Green Infrastructure Plan will also substantially advance Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC, a
multi-pronged sustainability effort that will reduce the urban heat island effect, enhance
recreational opportunities, improve quality-of-life, restore ecosystems, improve air quality, save
energy, and mitigate and adapt to climate change. These goals, as well as improved water
quality, are substantially advanced by green infrastructure in ways that traditional grey
infrastructure cannot match. EPA has stated that the use of green infrastructure is an “effective
response to a variety of environmental challenges that is cost-effective, sustainable, and
provides multiple desirable environmental outcomes.”1

Based upon currently available information, DEP estimates that accumulated sustainability
benefits at full implementation will range from $139 million to $418 million, depending upon the
amount of vegetation in the source controls used to meet the goals (Figure 8). These benefits
will accumulate over the 20-year implementation period as green infrastructure is adopted
according to interim milestones: 1.5% of impervious surfaces by 2015, an additional 2.5% by
2020, an additional 3% by 2025, and the remaining 3% by 2030 (Figure 8).

Figure 8: Accumulated Benefits Over 20 Years

$450
$418
Total Benefits ($ Millions in 2010 Dollars)

$400

$350

$300

$250

$200

$150
$139
$100

$50

$-
2010 2015 2020 2025 2030
Implementation Year

To develop this working model, DEP first estimated the amount of land that would be convert-
ed from impervious surfaces to planted areas. Our estimates include a low-end estimate (25%
of the acreage required for the 10% capture strategy would be planted areas rather than
other, non-planted source controls) and a high-end estimate (75% of acreage required for 10%
capture strategy would consist of planted areas). The scenarios that were used to estimate
costs ranged from 1,085 acres of vegetated surface area to 3,255 acres (Table 3, facing page).

DEP assumed that half of all planted green infrastructure would be fully vegetated – as is the
case for green roofs – and the other half would be considered partially vegetated to account
for the lower ratio of surface area required to drain impervious surfaces in the right-of-way. In
the right-of-way – and similar areas – it is likely that every acre of planted green infrastructure
26 1 Testimony of EPA before the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Wa ter
Resources and Environment, March 19, 2009.

PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AND ESTIMATED COSTS

will accept stormwater from 11 acres of existing impervious area. No incremental costs were
assumed for the additional sustainability benefits to reduce the green infrastructure costs
modeled and presented in the previous section of this report.

Table 3: Total Vegetated Acres in 2030

Low High
Combined sewer watershed area potentially
addressed by vegetated source controls 1,985 5,956
Fully vegetated (e.g., green roofs) 993 2,978
Partially vegetated (e.g., right-of-way) 92 277
Total vegetation 1,085 3,255

We next estimated the total benefits provided by those planted areas using the best available
data about New York City to derive dollar per acre benefits for the mix of green infrastructure
at full implementation. For this report DEP found that the best proxy for green infrastructure
benefits were the values for street trees found in the New York Municipal Forest Resource
Analysis (MFRA) prepared by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which used data collected in
2006 for the New York City Street Tree Census. The MFRA applies a U.S. Forest Service ecosystem
services model to estimate the environmental benefits provided by New York City street trees.

All vegetated areas were assumed to have the same benefits as street trees as a starting point,
but the fully vegetated area was assumed to have additional benefits from green roofs. DEP
divided the total energy, carbon dioxide, air quality, and property value benefits found in the
MFRA by the total area of street trees (11,110 acres) to find the average per acre value of
these individual benefits. For green roofs, energy benefits were based proportionately on the
This image cannot currently be display ed.

assumption made in Green Roofs in the New York Metropolitan Region roofing manual that
estimated that greening half of New York City’s roofs (7,698 acres) would reduce temperature
0.8°F and that every 1°F temperature reduction represents energy savings of approximately $82
million per year, per estimates from the New York City Department of Design & Construction
Cool & Green Roofing Manual of 2007. The energy savings also increase the carbon dioxide
and air quality benefits of green roofs beyond the baseline numbers for street trees on the
assumption – in the MFRA report – that approximately 60% of CO2 and 50% of air pollution
reductions occur at the power plant.

The results of this analysis predict that every fully vegetated acre of green infrastructure would
provide total annual benefits of $8,522 in reduced energy demand, $166 in reduced CO 2
emissions, $1,044 in improved air quality, and $4,725 in increased property value, with lesser
amounts for partially vegetated acres (Table 4).

Table 4: Annual Benefits of Vegetated Source Controls in 2030 ($/acre)

Fully Partially
vegetated vegetated
Energy 8,522 2,504
CO2 166 68
Air quality 1,044 474
Property value 4,725 4,725
27
Total 14,457 7,771

PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AND ESTIMATED COSTS

 Finally, DEP calculated benefits by multiplying those amounts by the value of the correspond-
ing amount of new green infrastructure (993 fully vegetated and 92 partially vegetated acres in
the low estimate to 2,978 acres of fully vegetated and 277 partially vegetated acres in the high
estimate) to derive the total benefits; accumulated over 20 years, this produced benefits of
$139 million to $418 million in 2030 (Figure 8). These benefits would continue to accumulate
beyond 2030.2

Explanations of the sustainability benefits of green infrastructure

Reduced Urban Heat Island Effect: The urban heat island (UHI) effect occurs when built-up
urban areas become warmer than nearby areas because of changes in surface coverage
over time. The UHI effect can be detected throughout the year, but it is of particular concern
during the summer, when higher surface air temperature is associated with increases in
electricity demand for air conditioning, air pollution, and heat stress–related mortality and
illness. Vegetated source controls would mitigate the UHI effect through added shade and
evapotranspiration in areas otherwise covered by buildings, streets and sidewalks, and other
paved surfaces. Computer models used in the 2009 study Mitigating New York City’s Heat
Island of widespread implementation of street trees and green roofs showed reductions in
simulated air temperature of 0.7°F on average, and up to 2°F in some neighborhoods in
Manhattan and Brooklyn at 3 pm, a time of day that corresponds to the peak commercial
electricity load. A 2010 Columbia University study, A Temperature and Seasonal Energy Analysis
of Green, White, and Black Roofs of a green roof in Queens, New York, found that green roof
membrane temperature peaks are on average 60°F cooler than black roofs in summer. In
addition, the average winter heat loss rate on the green roof was 34% lower than under the
black roof, and the summer heat gain rate was 84% lower than under the black roof.

Energy Conservation and Climate Change Offsets: Green infrastructure reduces the energy
needed for heating and cooling, and eliminates carbon dioxide emissions through direct
removal from the air and avoided emissions from power plants. The shading and climate
effects of New York City’s street trees already provide approximately $27.8 million in energy
actual savings per year and reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide by 113,016 tons according to
the MFRA. The same study mentioned earlier by the Department of Design & Construction
calculated an energy benefit of at least $82 million a year for every reduction of 1°F.

Improved Air Quality: Vegetated source controls offset air pollution by directly removing
pollutants from the air, reducing power plant emissions, and reducing the high temperatures
and sunlight that contributes to ozone formation. Existing New York City street trees are
estimated to remove or avoid 129 tons of ozone, 63 tons of particulate matter, and 193 tons of
nitrous dioxide every year according to the MFRA.

Higher Property Values, Enhanced Recreation, and Improved Quality of Life: The aesthetic
benefits provided by vegetated source controls can enhance the livability of New York City
neighborhoods. For example, real estate advertisements in Staten Island cite proximity to the
Bluebelts as a selling point. A useful proxy to demonstrate this benefit is provided by New York
City parks and community gardens, which increase adjacent property value as found in a 2008
study entitled The Effect of Community Gardens on Neighboring Property Values. A garden can
raise neighboring property values by as much as 9.4% within five years of opening and values of

2 DEP recognizes that there might be a minimum adoption threshold for some of these additional benefits, such as the overall energy
28
savings that would occur if green infrastructure can reduce the City’s ambient temperature is reduced. Other sustainability benefits
such as improved property values, aesthetics, and habitat are likely to accrue without thresholds. The overall sustainability benefits
are likely to further reduce the costs of green compared to grey infrastructure.

PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AND ESTIMATED COSTS

single-family homes located near parks in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island were 8% to 30%
higher than values of homes farther from the parks. This can lead to increases in tax revenues of
about half a million dollars per garden or park over a 20-year period. GrowNYC’s 60 community
gardens citywide would represent a $30 million increase in tax revenues over a 20-year period.
Approximately 20% of the value of properties within the first two blocks of the Greenwich
Village section can be attributed to the park according to a 2008 study by Friends of Hudson
River Park entitled The Impact of Hudson River Park on Property Values. The same study found
that, projected over the entire area within two blocks of the new section of the Park, the value
attributable to the Park would approach $200 million.

Restored Ecosystems: Vegetated source controls can provide valuable habitat. The Bluebelt
program is a leading example of using ecosystem services to manage stormwater and improve
wildlife habitat. On a smaller scale, street trees and green roofs can provide nesting, migratory,
and feeding habitat for a variety of birds, butterflies, bees, and other insects.

Operational Benefits of Reduced Flow: Encouraging prudent water use provides benefits to
DEP’s water supply and wastewater treatment system by reducing wear on infrastructure,
chemical costs at our water supply and wastewater treatment plants, and energy costs for
pumping and treating flow.

29

PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AND ESTIMATED COSTS

 Estimated citywide costs

The total cost of the Grey Strategy ‒ which includes construction of the Cost-Effective Grey
Infrastructure Investments and the less efficient Potential Tanks, Tunnels, and Expansions ‒ would
cost approximately $6.8 billion. These estimates were derived from the 2007 Facility Plans and
have been escalated to 2010 dollars to be comparable with the cost estimates for the Green
Strategy that were developed for this report (Figure 9 and Table 5).

Based on the costs of demonstration projects and the other green elements, as described
above and in greater detail in the Appendix, DEP estimates that the cost of a citywide Green
Strategy would be approximately $5.3 billion, compared to $6.8 billion for the Grey Strategy
(Figure 9). Of this total, a green infrastructure program to capture stormwater on 10% of the
combined sewer watersheds’ impervious areas would cost approximately $2.4 billion, far less
than the $3.9 billion for Potential Tanks, Tunnels, and Expansions, which provide few if any
sustainability benefits. Detailed cost information for each strategy element is included in Table
5: Predicted Performance and Estimated Costs for Grey and Green Strategies.

Figure 9: Citywide Costs of CSO Control Scenarios (after 20 years)

$8.0

$7.0 $6.8

$6.0

$5.3
Cost ($ Billions in 2010 Dollars)

$0.03
$5.0
$0.9 $3.9

$2.4
$4.0
$1.5

$3.0

$2.0

$2.9 $2.9
$1.0

$-
Green Strategy Grey Strategy

Cost-Effective Grey Investments Reduced Flow

Green Infrastructure - Public Investment Green Infrastructure - Private Investment
Optimize Existing System Potential Tanks, Tunnels, & Expansions
30

PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AND ESTIMATED COSTS

On a unit cost basis the overall Green Strategy is estimated to cost $0.45 per gallon of CSO
reduction and the overall Grey Strategy is estimated to cost $0.62 per gallon (Figure 10). Both
strategies include Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments, which are the most cost-
effective grey investments to reduce CSO volume, at an average cost of approximately $0.36
per gallon of CSO reduction. The Grey Strategy includes Potential Tanks, Tunnels, and
Expansions that are significantly more expensive per unit cost, at approximately $1.75 per
gallon of CSO captured (Figure 10). At five times the cost per gallon of CSO of Cost-Effective
Grey Infrastructure, Potential Tanks, Tunnels, and Expansions are much more difficult to justify.
Figure 10: Estimated Citywide Costs per Gallon of CSO Reduced

GREEN STRATEGY GREY STRATEGY

$2.00

$1.80 $1.75

$1.60
$1.60

$1.40
Cost per Gallon

$1.20

$1.00

$0.80
$0.62
$0.60
$0.45
$0.36 $0.35
$0.40

$0.20

$- $0.03
$-
Cost-Effective Grey Reduced Flow Green Optimize Existing Green Strategy Cost-Effective Grey Potential Grey Strategy
Investments Infrastructure System Investments Tanks, Tunnels, &
(10% Capture) Expansions

The Green Strategy includes green infrastructure, which is estimated to cost approximately
$1.60 per gallon of CSO reduced (Figure 10). This cost per unit is considerably lower than tanks,
tunnels, and expansions despite the economies of scale associated with large grey infrastruc-
ture. The overall costs of the Green Strategy ‒ $0.45 per gallon ‒ are low in part because
optimizing the existing system is by far the most cost-effective option, with estimated average
costs of $0.03 per gallon of CSO captured.

Operations and maintenance for the Green Strategy is higher in the initial years as source
controls are built quickly, while operations and maintenance for grey infrastructure is higher in
the long run as the large tanks, tunnels and expansion costs come online (Figure 11, following
page). Significantly, the Grey Strategy requires energy costs that are not required for green
infrastructure.

Moreover, green infrastructure provides an opportunity to leverage investment in new

development. DEP estimates that about 40% of green infrastructure investments over the next
20 years will be made in connection with a substantially more stringent stormwater runoff
31
standard for new development.

PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AND ESTIMATED COSTS

 Figure 11: O&M Costs to the City of CSO Control Scenarios

$18,000
$16,380 $16,380
$16,185 $16,185
$16,000
$14,235
$14,000
$13,033
$12,040
Costs ($ Thousands)

$11,691
$12,000
$11,060

$10,000

$8,000

$6,000

$3,560 $3,560 $3,875

$4,000

$2,000

$-
Green Grey Green Grey Green Grey Green Grey Green Grey Green Grey
2012 2013 2014 2019 2024 2029

Salaries Fringe @ 40% Electricity Natural Gas Contracts Supplies and Equipment

Estimated costs by watershed

The additional costs for Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments range from approximate-
ly $3 to $5 million in the Flushing Bay and Hutchinson River watersheds to approximately $912
million in Bergen and Thurston Basins (Table 5). Potential Tanks, Tunnels, and Expansions range in
cost from approximately $340 million in Hutchinson River to approximately $1.3 billion in
Newtown Creek (Table 5).

Green infrastructure costs per gallon of CSO reduction vary widely across watersheds from
approximately $0.84 per gallon to approximately $6.40 per gallon (Figure 12, following page,
and Table 5). In many watersheds, costs per gallon are in the $1 to $2 range and are therefore
competitive with Potential Tanks, Tunnels, and Expansions. In the Coney Island Creek and
Paerdegat Basin watersheds where DEP has or will be investing heavily in grey infrastructure,
costs tend to be higher per gallon captured (approximately $3.94 to $6.40 per gallon). There,
green infrastructure can provide additional CSO reductions, but at a higher cost, because the
incremental benefit is provided only after the tank, weirs, or other improvements have
exceeded their capacity. Detailed cost information for each waterbody is available in Table 5:
Predicted Performance and Estimated Costs for Grey and Green Strategies.

As green infrastructure costs vary across watersheds, there are many opportunities to direct
funds towards lower cost green infrastructure areas and away from higher cost areas. DEP will
work with stakeholders to determine how to prioritize its discretionary spending. This will depend
in significant part on future water quality modeling and estimated costs per incremental water
quality benefit.
32

PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AND ESTIMATED COSTS

In the meantime, estimated costs per gallon of CSO volume reduced lead to the preliminary
conclusion that discretionary green infrastructure funds should be spent in priority watersheds.
Based on current information, potential priority watersheds could be:

 The Hutchinson River, Westchester Creek, Flushing Bay, and Jamaica Bay and CSO
Tributaries watersheds, where DEP is seeking to preclude the need for tanks, tunnels,
and expansions. (In Newtown Creek, green infrastructure strategies need to be
synchronized with the proposed Superfund designation and other water quality
improvements that are currently planned.)
 The Bronx River watershed, where DEP has not invested heavily in hard infrastructure,
where the costs of green infrastructure are expected to be $1.58 per gallon, and where
there is widespread community support for green infrastructure.
 The Gowanus Canal watershed.

Figure 12: Estimated Costs of Green Infrastructure per Gallon of CSO Reduced, by Watershed

$7.00

$6.40 *

$6.00 $5.80 *

$5.00

$3.94 *
$4.00

$3.00
$2.67
$2.33
$2.11
$1.96 $1.97
$2.00
$1.58 $1.60 $1.60

$1.01 $1.10
$1.00 $0.84

$-

* Watersheds where unit cost is high because the modeled impacts of green infrastructure consider only the marginal benefit of re-
ducing CSOs that are not captured by planned or built Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure, These projects include the Avenue V force
main and pumping station (Coney Island Creek watershed), the 50 million gallon detention facility at Paerdegat Basin, and the 20 33
million gallon Spring Creek CSO detention facility (Jamaica Bay & CSO Tributaries watershed).

PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AND ESTIMATED COSTS

34

PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AND ESTIMATED COSTS

Table 5: Predicted Performance and Estimated Costs for Grey and Green Strategies

ALL NUMBERS ARE IN MILLIONS

(EXCEPT FOR COST / GALLON) Green Strategy
PLUS PLUS
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure PLUS
Waterbody Green Infrastructure Tide Gate Repair and Interceptor Green Strategy Waterbody
Investments Reduced Flow
(10% Capture) Cleaning
Incremental Incremental Incremental Incremental Incremental
CSO Reduction from Cost/ CSO Reduction from Cost/ CSO Reduction from Cost/ CSO Reduction from Cost/ CSO Reduction from Cost/
(Volume) 2045 (Vol) Total Cost gallon (Volume) Prior (Vol) Total Cost gallon (Volume) Prior (Vol) Total Cost gallon (Volume) Prior (Vol) Total Cost gallon (Volume) 2045 (Vol) Total Cost gallon
Alley Creek 258 244 $ 142 $ 0.58 257 1 $ - $ - 220 37 $ 72 $ 1.96 220 0 $ - $ - 220 282 $ 214 $ 0.76 Alley Creek
Bergen and Thurston 859 1,125 $ 912 $ 0.81 848 11 $ - $ - 803 45 $ 121 $ 2.67 392 411 $ 12.33 $ 0.03 392 1,592 $ 1,046 $ 0.66 Bergen and Thurston
Bronx River 594 346 $ 20 $ 0.06 581 13 $ - $ - 506 75 $ 119 $ 1.58 506 0 $ - $ - 506 434 $ 140 $ 0.32 Bronx River
Coney Island Creek 42 259 $ 199 $ 0.77 38 4 $ - $ - 32 6 $ 37 $ 6.40 32 0 $ - $ - 32 269 $ 236 $ 0.88 Coney Island Creek
East River & Open Waters 13,289 2,865 $ 345 $ 0.12 12,007 1,282 $ - $ - 11,459 548 $ 463 $ 0.84 11,394 65 $ 1 $ 0.02 11,394 4,760 $ 808 $ 0.17 East River & Open Waters
Flushing Bay 1,824 363 $ 5 $ 0.01 1,713 111 $ - $ - 1,499 214 $ 216 $ 1.01 1,499 0 $ - $ - 1,499 688 $ 221 $ 0.32 Flushing Bay
Flushing Creek 1,438 957 $ 356 $ 0.37 1,402 36 $ - $ - 1,251 151 $ 298 $ 1.97 1,166 85 $ 3 $ 0.03 1,166 1,229 $ 656 $ 0.53 Flushing Creek
Gowanus Canal 261 143 $ 115 $ 0.81 232 29 $ - $ - 200 32 $ 75 $ 2.33 200 0 $ - $ - 200 204 $ 190 $ 0.93 Gowanus Canal
Hutchinson River 400 36 $ 3 $ 0.08 393 7 $ - $ - 341 52 $ 58 $ 1.10 341 0 $ - $ - 341 95 $ 61 $ 0.64 Hutchinson River
Jamaica Bay & CSO Tributaries 399 207 $ 169 $ 0.82 370 29 $ - $ - 321 49 $ 284 $ 5.80 317 4 $ 0.12 $ 0.03 317 289 $ 454 $ 1.57 Jamaica Bay & CSO Tributaries
Newtown Creek 1,243 229 $ 236 $ 1.03 1,194 49 $ - $ - 1,039 155 $ 249 $ 1.60 1,024 15 $ 0.05 $ 0.003 1,024 448 $ 485 $ 1.08 Newtown Creek
Paerdegat Basin 555 1,278 $ 387 $ 0.30 439 116 $ - $ - 374 65 $ 256 $ 3.94 368 6 $ 0.03 $ 0.01 368 1,465 $ 643 $ 0.44 Paerdegat Basin
Westchester Creek 535 216 $ 46 $ 0.21 522 13 $ - $ - 438 84 $ 178 $ 2.11 438 0 $ - $ - 438 313 $ 223 $ 0.71 Westchester Creek
Total 21,698 8,267 $ 2,936 $ 0.36 19,997 1,701 $ - $ - 18,482 1,514 $ 2,426 $ 1.60 17,896 586 were
- indicates analyses $ conducted
16.13 to$ assess
0.03 17,896 12,069 $ 5,377 $ 0.45 Total
-reductions
indicates in CSO associated
analyses with interceptor
were conducted to assess
reductions in CSO associated with tide gate

ALL NUMBERS ARE IN MILLIONS

(EXCEPT FOR COST / GALLON) Grey Strategy
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure PLUS
Waterbody Grey Strategy
Investments Potential Tanks, Tunnels & Expansions

Incremental Incremental Incremental

CSO Reduction from Cost/ CSO Reduction from Cost/ CSO Reduction from Cost/
(Volume) 2045 (Vol) Total Cost gallon (Volume) Prior (Vol) Total Cost gallon (Volume) 2045 (Vol) Total Cost gallon
Alley Creek 258 244 $ 142 $ 0.58 258 - $ - $ - 258 244 $ 142 $ 0.58
Bergen and Thurston 859 1,125 $ 912 $ 0.81 857 2 $ 490 $ 245.00 857 1,127 $ 1,402 $ 1.24
Bronx River 594 346 $ 20 $ 0.06 594 - $ - $ - 594 346 $ 20 $ 0.06
Coney Island Creek 42 259 $ 199 $ 0.77 42 - $ - $ - 42 259 $ 199 $ 0.77
East River & Open Waters 13,289 2,865 $ 345 $ 0.12 13,289 - $ - $ - 13,289 2,865 $ 345 $ 0.12
Flushing Bay 1,824 363 $ 5 $ 0.01 1,063 761 $ 800 $ 1.05 1,063 1,124 $ 805 $ 0.72
Flushing Creek 1,438 957 $ 356 $ 0.37 1,438 - $ - $ - 1,438 957 $ 356 $ 0.37
Gowanus Canal 261 143 $ 115 $ 0.81 261 - $ - $ - 261 143 $ 115 $ 0.81
Hutchinson River 400 36 $ 3 $ 0.08 276 124 $ 341 $ 2.75 276 160 $ 344 $ 2.15
Jamaica Bay & CSO Tributaries* 454 152 $ 119 $ 0.78 322 132 $ 546 $ 4.14 322 284 $ 665 $ 2.34
Newtown Creek 1,243 229 $ 236 $ 1.03 457 786 $ 1,300 $ 1.65 457 1,015 $ 1,536 $ 1.51
Paerdegat Basin 555 1,278 $ 387 $ 0.30 555 - $ - $ - 555 1,278 $ 387 $ 0.30
Westchester Creek 535 216 $ 46 $ 0.21 395 140 $ 409 $ 2.92 395 356 $ 455 $ 1.28
Total** 21,753 8,212 $ 2,885 $ 0.35 19,808 1,945 $ 3,886 $ 1.75 19,808 10,157 $ 6,771 $ 0.62
* Cost-Effective Grey Investments under the Grey Strategy do not include the interceptor and bending weir option (55 mg reduction) that are included under the Green Strategy since they are not necessary
with the 26th Ward WWTP wet weather expansion.
** Since the cost per gallon is out of scale for the Potential Tanks, Tunnels and Expansions for Bergen and Thurston Basins ($245/gallon), this estimate has not been included in the Total Cost per Gallon estimate
for either the Potential Tanks, Tunnels and Expansions section or the Total Grey Strategy section.

All results are preliminary; subject to model calibration in future analyses.

35

PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AND ESTIMATED COSTS

36

PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AND ESTIMATED COSTS

THE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
1.BUILD COST-EFFECTIVE GREY INFRASTRUCTURE
DEP will construct $2.9 billion of cost-effective grey infrastructure investments over the next 20
years. These projects were set forth in the 2007 Facility Plans for reducing CSOs in each water-
shed in the City; DEP is seeking certain modifications to be incorporated in the final DEC ap-
proved Facility Plans. There are two categories of investments: CSO volume reduction projects
and other CSO-related projects including floatables controls, aeration, and dredging. For the
purposes of this Green Infrastructure Plan, the cost-effective CSO volume reduction projects are
the following (Table 6):

Table 6: Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure - CSO Volume Reduction Projects

Waterbody Projects Constructed/Under Construction Future Projects

Phase I: Outfall and Sewer System Improvements
Alley Creek
Phase 2: CSO Facility
Sewer System Improvements
Bergen and Thurston Basins Meadowmere & Warnerville DWO Abatement Regulator Automation
High Level Sewer Separation in Southeast Queens
Bronx River Hunts Point WWTP Headworks Improvements - BR allocation
Coney Island Creek Avenue V Pump Station Upgrade & Force Main
Bowery Bay WPCP Headworks Improvements East River Plan Regulator Improvements
Regulator Fixed Orifices Wards Island WWTP Flow Maximization
Regulator Automation Gravity Diversion at Hannah Street Pumping Station
East River & Open Waters
Port Richmond Throttling Facility Divert Low-Lying Sewers
In-Line Storage Raise Regulator Weir
Tallman Island WWTP Flow Maximization
Flushing Bay Regulator Modifications
Flushing Creek CSO Facility
Gowanus Canal Gowanus Pump Station Upgrade
Hutchinson River Hunts Point WWTP Headworks Improvements - HR allocation
26th Ward Drainage Area Sewer Cleaning & Evaluation
Jamaica Bay & CSO Tributaries Parallel Interceptor & Bending Weir
Spring Creek 20 MG CSO Facility Upgrade
Throttling Facility Bending Weirs
Newtown Creek Increase Newtown Creek WWTP capacity to 700 MGD Dutch Kills Relief Sewer
Regulator Modifications
Paerdegat Basin CSO Facility
Westchester Creek Hunts Point WWTP Headworks Improvements - WC allocation Regulator Improvements

This list reflects all of the CSO reduction grey infrastructure investments in the Facility Plans or
Consent Order with the exception of the Newtown Creek and Flushing Bay CSO Tunnels,
Westchester Creek and Hutchinson River CSO Tanks, and the Jamaica and 26th Ward WWTP
wet weather expansions. Under the Green Infrastructure Plan, those investments ‒ or suitable
alternatives ‒ would be made only if green infrastructure investments in the relevant water-
sheds fail to achieve the CSO reductions projected through modeling.

CSO reduction projects completed or underway. DEP is already spending almost $1.7 billion to
construct many of the CSO reduction projects set out in the Facility Plans. Completed projects 37
37
include a rehabilitation of the Spring Creek 20 million gallon CSO detention facility, improve-
ments to the headworks at the Hunts Point and Bowery Bay WWTPs, and construction of the 37
Flushing Creek 43 million gallon CSO detention facility. Other noteworthy CSO reduction pro-

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 jects that are almost complete or under construction include the Paerdegat Basin 50 million
gallon CSO Retention Facility that is projected to capture 1,278 mgy of CSO; increasing the Av-
enue V pumping station capacity from 30 mgd to 80 mgd; and increasing the capacity of the
existing Gowanus Canal pumping station (Table 7). These projects will reduce CSO volumes by
5,666 bgy.
Table 7: Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure - CSO Volume Reduction Projects
Costs and CSO Volumes

2045 Cost-Effective Grey Investments Potential Tanks, Tunnels, and Expansions

Waterbody Name
Projections (CSO Reduction) (CSO Reduction)
Incremental Cost of Projects Total Cost Incremental
ALL NUMBERS ARE IN MILLIONS CSO Reduction from Constructed/Under (Current and Cost/ Reduction from Cost/
(EXCEPT FOR COST PER GALLON) CSO (Volume) (Volume) 2045 (Vol) Construction Future) gallon CSO (Volume) Preferred (Vol) Cost gallon
Alley Creek 502 258 244 $ 142 $ 142 $ 0.58 258 - - $ -
Bergen and Thurston 1,984 859 1,125 $ 42 $ 912 $ 0.81 857 2 $ 490 $ 245.00
Bronx River 940 594 346 $ 20 $ 20 $ 0.06 594 - $ - $ -
Coney Island Creek 301 42 259 $ 199 $ 199 $ 0.77 42 - $ - $ -
East River & Open Waters 16,154 13,289 2,865 $ 155 $ 345 $ 0.12 13,289 - $ - $ -
Flushing Bay 2,187 1,824 363 $ - $ 5 $ 0.01 1,063 761 $ 800 $ 1.05
Flushing Creek 2,395 1,438 957 $ 356 $ 356 $ 0.37 1,438 - $ - $ -
Gowanus Canal 404 261 143 $ 115 $ 115 $ 0.81 261 - $ - $ -
Hutchinson River 436 400 36 $ 3 $ 3 $ 0.08 276 124 $ 341 $ 2.75
Jamaica Bay & CSO Tributaries 606 399 207 $ 119 $ 169 $ 0.82 322 132 $ 546 $ 4.14
Newtown Creek 1,472 1,243 229 $ 149 $ 236 $ 1.03 457 786 $ 1,300 $ 1.65
Paerdegat Basin 1,833 555 1,278 $ 387 $ 387 $ 0.30 555 - $ - $ -
Westchester Creek 751 535 216 $ 8 $ 46 $ 0.21 395 140 $ 409 $ 2.92
Total 29,965 21,698 8,267 $ 1,696 $ 2,936 $ 0.36 19,808 1945 $ 3,886 $ 1.75

Planned CSO reduction projects. DEP will complete an additional $1.2 billion of grey infrastruc-
ture work to further reduce CSO discharges and improve water quality through lower pathogen
levels (Tables 8 and 9). Noteworthy planned CSO reduction projects include Tallman Island
WWTP flow modifications and regulator improvements. The built or planned CSO reduction pro-
jects will cost an average of $0.36 per gallon of CSOs reduced, compared to an average of
$1.75 per gallon for Potential Tanks, Tunnels, and Expansions and will reduce CSO volumes by
2,602 bgy.

Other CSO related projects. Other CSO-related projects will directly improve water quality with-
out reducing CSO volume: dredging the head end of certain tributaries, constructing floatables
control at large CSO outfalls, reactivating the Gowanus Canal Flushing Tunnel, and installing in-
stream aeration and destratification facilities in tributaries with low dissolved oxygen levels
(Table 8). DEP will spend $750 million to construct these projects (Table 9, facing page).
Table 8: Other Projects Related to CSOs
Waterbody Projects Constructed/Under Construction Future Projects
Bergen and Thurston Basins Shellbank Creek Destratification Facilities Dredging & In-stream Aeration
Bronx River Floatables Control
Dredging
Flushing Bay
Floatables Control
Flushing Creek Dredging
Gowanus Canal Gowanus Flushing Tunnel Modernization Dredging at Head End of Canal
Hutchinson River Floatables Control at Regulators
Dredging, In-stream Aeration and Netting Facility Upgrate
Jamaica Bay & CSO Tributaries Hendrix Creek Dredging
at Fresh Creek
38
38 Dredging & Floatables Control
Enhancement of Zone I Aeration at Lower English Kills
Newtown Creek Zone 1 Aeration Upper English Kills
Enhancement of Zone II Aeration at East Branch, Dutch
38 Kills and Portions of Newtown Creek
Paerdegat Basin Dredging at Head End and at Mouth of Basin
Westchester Creek Floatables Control

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

In addition to CSO-related improvements, DEP has spent almost $5 billion to upgrade the New-
town Creek WWTP alone and hundreds of millions more on ongoing upgrades to its Upper East
River and Jamaica Bay plants to remove nitrogen, a natural byproduct of the wastewater
treatment process that is not a threat to public health but can harm the ecosystem by reduc-
ing dissolved oxygen.

In summary, DEP has built or will build $3.7 billion in CSO reduction and other CSO-related pro-
jects. These projects will reduce CSOs by 8.3 bgy and will result in less floatables and higher dis-
solved oxygen levels to improve water quality.

Table 9: Other Projects Related to CSOs - Costs

Other Projects Related to

Total Costs of Cost-Effective
CSOs
Waterbody Name Grey Infrastructure PLUS Other
(e.g. Dredging, Aeration,
Projects Related to CSOs
Floatables)

Cost of Projects Total Cost Cost of Projects Total Cost

ALL NUMBERS ARE IN MILLIONS Constructed/Under (Current and Constructed/Under (Current and
(EXCEPT FOR COST PER GALLON) Construction Future) Construction Future)
Alley Creek $ - $ - $ 142 $ 142
Bergen and Thurston $ - $ 144 $ 42 $ 1,056
Bronx River $ 26 $ 26 $ 46 $ 46
Coney Island Creek $ - $ - $ 199 $ 199
East River & Open Waters $ - $ - $ 155 $ 345
Flushing Bay $ - $ 84 $ - $ 89
Flushing Creek $ - $ 32 $ 356 $ 388
Gowanus Canal $ 47 $ 71 $ 162 $ 186
Hutchinson River $ - $ 29 $ 3 $ 32
Jamaica Bay & CSO Tributaries $ 15 $ 92 $ 134 $ 261
Newtown Creek $ 9 $ 226 $ 158 $ 463
Paerdegat Basin $ - $ 36 $ 387 $ 423
Westchester Creek $ - $ 10 $ 8 $ 55
Total $ 97 $ 750 $ 1,793 $ 3,686

39
39

39

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 2. OPTIMIZE THE EXISTING WASTEWATER SYSTEM
Wastewater system optimization
As part of the Green Infrastructure Plan, DEP will undertake a comprehensive series of manage-
ment initiatives to improve its best management practices for operations and maintenance.
More often than not, it is far more efficient to optimize existing infrastructure than to build new
infrastructure. Many of the efforts to optimize our system through best management practices
are set out in WWTP discharge permits under terms agreed upon between DEP and DEC. Pro-
gress on compliance with these requirements is regularly documented in DEP’s annual reports
about its best management practices. DEP’s comprehensive program will institutionalize a high-
er level of system optimization than we have been able to achieve in the past, and will com-
plement the major capital improvements that will be analyzed as part of the LTCPs.

The modeling in this report quantifies only a few of these initiatives ‒ the programs to survey and
rehabilitate interceptors and tide gates. Nevertheless, these programs alone are estimated to
reduce CSOs by at least 586 mgy. This estimate is conservative because it is not yet possible to
model the effects of surveying and rehabilitating all of the interceptors, the effects of various
DEP initiatives to prevent pollution from reaching our lateral collection sewers and to proactive-
ly clean sewers, or the effects of pilots to adjust weir elevations in sewer regulator chambers,
inflatable dams and bending weirs.

These programs represent a significant commitment of resources. DEP is already committed to

improving its operational and maintenance program at a cost of at least $9.4 million, with re-
curring costs of approximately $4 million per year. Our sewer interceptor rehabilitation efforts
alone will require approximately $2 million per year for labor, materials, and disposal costs. Tide
gate repairs will be achieved through a re-allocation of personnel agreed to with DEC, which
has allowed DEP to scale back certain regulator inspections from weekly to monthly. DEP is
seeking further efficiencies in partnership with DEC.

Drainage plans, high-level storm sewers, system-wide hydraulic

analysis, and research and development
DEP constructs its sewers according to detailed master drainage plans. These drainage plans
incorporate information about the surrounding land uses and development trends to deter-
mine the amount of stormwater and sanitary sewage anticipated in the public sewer system.
Drainage plans are updated as the zoning of a community changes. Under these plans, DEP
has built 1,800 miles of separate storm sewers, primarily in southeast Queens and Staten Island.

Drainage plans also allow DEP to prioritize CSO “hotspots,” low-lying areas, and areas shown to
have high incidents of flooding or sewer backups for partial separation with high-level storm
sewers, which divert up to 50% of stormwater from the combined flow. By removing this flow
from the combined sewer, DEP adds significant capacity to the combined sewer, helping elimi-
nate street flooding and sewer back-ups. To date, the City has completed amended drainage
40
40 plans to incorporate high-level storm sewers in the Laurelton section of Queens, the Throggs
Neck area of the Bronx, and the Gowanus area of Brooklyn. Over the next three years, DEP has
40 committed capital funding to build high-level storm sewers in Fairfax Avenue, Commerce Ave-
nue, Waterbury Avenue, and Hook Creek Boulevard.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

DEP is also updating its evaluation of the hydraulic capacity of the sewer system in anticipation
of the analysis required in LTCPs. The hydraulic capacity analysis includes an analysis of the im-
pact of interceptor rehabilitation on CSO volumes. This will require that DEP update and recali-
brate the InfoWorks models using updated impervious data based on a satellite flyover in 2009
using infrared imagery that captures the light spectrum emitted by vegetation, CSO post-
construction monitoring data, recent Harbor Survey and Sentinel data, interceptor inspection
and cleaning results, and all other available combined sewer system monitoring data. DEP will
then complete InfoWorks modeling reports for each Facility Plan drainage basin and, ultimate-
ly, the entire New York City combined and sanitary sewer collection system. DEP expects to
complete this update to the capacity evaluation by the end of 2012 after the conclusion of its
initial inspection and rehabilitation program. In addition, as part of the LTCPs, DEP will prepare
an updated hydraulic capacity evaluation of the sewers in each watershed, including an eval-
uation of regulators and weirs.

From 2010 to 2013, DEP will:

 Complete drainage plans for areas of the City where buildout is to occur.
 Build high-level storm sewers in Fairfax Avenue, Commerce Avenue, Waterbury Avenue
and Hook Creek Boulevard.
 Prepare an updated baseline hydraulic capacity of the entire New York City combined
and sanitary sewer collection system.

Interceptor surveys, rehabilitation, and improvements

New York City has 149 miles of large intercepting sewers that connect former outfalls of our lat-
eral collection sewer system to the WWTPs. Most of our interceptor sewers were built at a low
elevation and sometimes on a flatter slope than the lateral collection sewers that are designed
to be self-cleaning by constantly maintaining a minimum flow velocity.

The combined sewer collection system also contains relief structures such as regulators and
overflow weirs to protect the WWTPs from excessive flows during wet weather. This is necessary
to ensure that the live cultures that process wastes are not washed out and lost, and that treat-
ment performance is maintained during both wet and dry weather. During rainfalls where com-
bined flows exceed the capacity of the sewer system and WWTPs, regulators divert combined
flows into waterways, causing CSOs. Interceptor rehabilitation will restore the full design capaci-
ty to store and convey wastewater and stormwater, thereby reducing the amount of CSOs.

Using new technology, DEP is conducting sonar and video surveys of its entire interceptor sys-
tem to identify the characteristics and extent of sediment and debris throughout the intercep-
tor network. In June 2010, DEP announced a comprehensive plan to survey all interceptors with-
in two years and to remove sediment and rehabilitate as necessary, depending upon the sur-
vey results. To do so, DEP purchased two additional Vactor trucks at a cost of $450,000 and will
staff each with dedicated crews that will also be supplemented by contractors. The trucks con-
tain a powerful vacuum system and custom attachments to suck waste out of the sewer system
using a hose supported by a remotely controlled boom crane. The trucks also have a water jet
to clear clogs in the sewer. A gauge on the 12-cubic-yard tank measures the amount of debris
inside. The two trucks can collect up to 3 tons of sediment and debris each day. Training and 41
41
road tests began in the summer of 2010, and the Vactor trucks will continue to clean intercep-
tor and lateral sewers, pumping stations, regulators, and other elements in the collection sys- 41
tem.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 The trucks will clean the sewer interceptors first as sonar data becomes available. Experience
with cleaning the system may show that those efforts should be coordinated with sonar inspec-
tion and cleaning of upstream lateral sewers to limit the new accumulation of sediment in inter-
ceptors from those upstream elements the City’s sewer system (Figure 13).
Figure 13: DEP Crew and Vactor Truck in Operation

CSOs occur in heavy wet weather when the elevation of water in the system exceeds the
height of a fixed-height weir ‒ or dam ‒ within a regulator chamber or overflow structure. By
optimizing the elevations of these weirs with a chamber or a series of chambers, additional wet
weather flow can be captured within the existing sewer system. This flow can then be sent to a
treatment plant after the storm subsides.

Another optimization technique is to install bending weirs, which use counterweights to adjust
weir height and store additional flow within the upstream sewer. These relatively inexpensive
devices can be retrofitted within existing regulator chambers where hydraulic modeling shows
that they can yield the greatest effect. Finally, inflatable dams can be installed in the existing
sewer infrastructure to retain more flow during wet weather. Such devices are inflated with
pneumatic pumps during storms, and can be adjusted under varying conditions to hold flow
within a certain section of sewer. Because these technologies are not well established in New
York City, DEP will undertake demonstration projects that will inform the capital commitments to
be made in LTCPs.

From 2010 to 2013, DEP will:

 Complete video and sonar surveys of all interceptor sewers ‒ by 2011 ‒ and compile
results in a report for each WWTP drainage area that will include the sediment depth
and raw data from the surveys.
42
42
 Analyze the surveys and submit a schedule for necessary removal of debris and depos-
42 its, repairs, rehabilitations and replacement of the interceptor sewer system.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

  Begin rehabilitating priority areas shown by sonar and video inspections to have signifi-
cant accumulations of sediment and other debris. The Jamaica East and Rockaway
East interceptors will be among the first interceptors to be cleaned. DEP will complete
cleaning of 136 miles of interceptors within two years ‒ the other 13 miles are deep sew-
ers that cannot be reached with Vactor trucks and are expected to be clean without
intervention.
 After the initial two-year period, DEP will continue to monitor its interceptor sewers with
sonar profiling, and will rehabilitate interceptors that have new accumulation of sedi-
ment based on a system of prioritization.
 Build bending weirs in a Newtown Creek intercepting sewer.
 Build inflatable dams in the Newtown Creek and Red Hook intercepting sewers.
 Monitor and evaluate the demonstration projects as part of a comprehensive assess-
ment of whether it is appropriate to install those technologies in other locations, and to
analyze them as part of the LTCPs for each watershed.

Tide gate rehabilitation and inflow/infiltration surveys

At discharge points, tide gates prevent seawater from entering the sewer system. Tide gates
can become obstructed by wooden debris and other material, and in extreme cases can be-
come unhinged or lose their seal. If tide gates leak, seawater can reduce CSO storage in the
system and, in extreme cases, can change the density of sanitary flows so that it is harder to
remove solids at the treatment plants. To ensure the system does not have excessive seawater
entering at high tides, chlorides are measured at the headworks of our WWTPs and are kept
below 400 ppm on a 12-month rolling average under the terms of our SPDES permits. Inspect-
ing, maintaining and, if necessary, repairing tide gates may be as simple as removing debris
such as an old sneaker that is wedged into a hinge point and may be as complicated as re-
moving the tide gate, taking it to DEP’s repair shop, and performing welding and other repairs.
DEP will increase the frequency with which it inspects and rehabilitates tide gates.

At the same time, DEP is assessing the inflow and infiltration of saline groundwater in coastal
areas, which can consume capacity for storing CSOs. DEP’s first assessment will be in the Coney
Island watershed, as that plant has consistently high chlorides. DEP will then develop and sub-
mit an infiltration and inflow report summarizing the results of the investigation and identifying
any necessary repairs, and determine whether other areas should undergo an infiltration and
inflow assessment.

From 2010 to 2013, DEP will:

 Inspect 25 tide gates per month to ensure they operate and seal properly. Under the
improved tide gate survey, inspection and rehabilitation program, DEP will prioritize sew-
ersheds for WWTPs with high chloride levels.
 Within two years, inspect and, where necessary, repair all of the tide gates in the sys-
tem. Continue tide gate inspections and will make repairs as needed.
 Complete an infiltration and inflow investigation of the combined and sanitary sewer
system in the Coney Island WWTP drainage area (by 2012) to determine the cause of
43
43

the consistently high chloride levels at the plant.

43

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 Pollution prevention and obstruction removal
Interceptors receive flow from 7,400 miles of lateral collection sewers that convey sanitary
waste and stormwater from houses, buildings, and some of the City’s 141,000 catch basins in-
stalled in streets and other areas (catch basins in separately sewered areas are connected to
storm sewers that do not transmit flow to WWTPs). In combined sewer areas, obstructions in lat-
eral sewers and catch basins can cause street flooding and, where houses do not contain re-
quired back-flow preventers, sewer backups into houses.

New York City has a vast lateral sewer system, which means that information about blockages
is diffuse. A primary indicator of a blockage is its expression at the surface through flooding or
sewer backups. Due to the City’s creation and promotion of the 311 system for citizen com-
plaints, DEP has been able to devolve some early warning functions to citizens; the 311 system
receives nearly 500,000 calls per year related to DEP concerns. In addition, a team of DEP per-
sonnel walk different sections of our underground sewer system to inspect our largest lateral
sewers. To maintain the City’s lateral collection sewer system, DEP uses a fleet of 35 jet flusher
trucks, 47 catch basin cleaning trucks, 12 regulator valve repair trucks, 7 pump trucks, 15 atten-
uator trucks for work zone safety, 47 construction trucks, and 7 boom trucks.

DEP also has a proactive maintenance program to prevent obstructions. To reduce the clog-
ging of “upstream” areas, catch basins have a sump area to retain sediments and have hoods
or other devices to block soda bottles and other “floatables” from entering the sewers. All
141,000 catch basins have these hoods or closed curb cuts to prevent floatables. DEP inspects
each catch basin at least once every three years and cleans it if necessary. (However, con-
tractors and other private citizens have been know to illegally open manholes and dump
bricks, concrete, tarps, and other debris into the sewer, causing obstructions.)

To reduce obstructions from fats, oils and grease (FOG) from residential and commercial cook-
ing that accumulate and harden in pipes, DEP requires that restaurants, nursing homes, fruit
and vegetable stands, laundries, and dry cleaners use grease traps. These devices separate
FOG from wastewater. DEP routinely sends inspectors to businesses to check grease traps and
make sure they are correctly sized, properly installed, maintained, and operating effectively. In
addition, DEP does not allow commercial establishments to use food waste disposals, which
can create additional FOG.

From 2010 to 2013, DEP will:

 Use the new Vactor trucks to continue cleaning lateral collection sewers to remove sed-
iment and debris.
 Launch an enhanced FOG enforcement and inspection program, in partnership with
the Business Integrity Commission and other agency partners.
 Develop and enforce rules to meet the commitment of local legislation (Intro 194A) that
was signed into law by Mayor Bloomberg on August 16, 2010. The law requires the use of
two percent biodiesel blends in heating oil in New York City beginning in October 1,
2012. The local biodiesel mandate is large enough to use up all of the estimated waste
yellow grease in the City, and will create a further incentive for businesses to recycle
44
44
grease rather than dump it down the sewer.

44  Work with its sister agencies and the City Council on brown and yellow grease recycling
legislation to keep FOG out of the sewers.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

Demand side management
Reducing water use is a cost-effective strategy for reducing CSOs, because lower sanitary flows
create additional storage capacity in the interceptors and treatment capacity at the WWTPs.
In the recent past, conveyance and water use in New York City has declined steadily; between
2002 and 2009 consumption declined on average 0.9% per year. In 2009, New Yorkers used
1.009 billion gallons per day (bgd), considerably less than the 1.108 bgd used in 2005, the 1.240
bgd used in 2000, or the 1.424 bgd used in 1990. A portion of that additional capacity is availa-
ble to convey and store stormwater. DEP’s analysis of population growth and usage trends pre-
dicts that the City’s annual consumption is likely to remain at approximately 1.1 bgd over the
next 10 to 20 years. DEP’s CSO modeling shows that reduced flows will result in 1.7 bgy of less
CSOs than the base case presented in the 2007 Facility Plans (Figure 1).

DEP is taking a number of steps to ensure that the flows projected for the future will remain at or
below 2005 levels of 1.1 bgd even with population growth, potentially hotter temperatures from
climate change, and other factors that tend to increase demand. These steps include DEP’s
investment in information management systems such as the Automated Meter Reading (AMR)
network and improvements to customer service and billing. AMR consists of small, low-power
radio transmitters connected to individual water meters that send daily readings to a network
of rooftop receivers throughout the city. The new AMR technology can send accurate readings
to a computerized billing system up to four times a day and lets customers track their daily wa-
ter use. New York City’s experience with the installation of meters in the early 1990s demon-
strates that better information leads to reduced water usage.

These changes will make information about water usage more robust, accurate, and accessi-
ble. Improved information, in turn, will drive consumer behavior and will reduce usage.

From 2010 to 2013, DEP will:

 Complete the installation of AMR for 834,000 customers, conduct outreach to educate
ratepayers about how to use the information, and use AMR data to identify leaks and,
possibly, to target significant users for education about water conservation efforts, au-
dits, and retrofits.
 Track water usage and future trends so that we know whether consumption is meeting
or exceeding the CSO modeling projections on which the Green Infrastructure Plan is
based.
 Work with city agencies and the City Council to create initiatives or legislation to lower
consumption, including incentivizing low-use toilets and other fixtures in new construc-
tion and redevelopment, prohibiting new once-through cooling towers, and other
measures.
 Ensure that the rate structure incentivizes conservation while providing sufficient reve-
nue for delivery and other essential services.

45
45

45

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 3. CONTROL RUNOFF FROM 10% OF IMPERVIOUS
SURFACES THROUGH GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

Introduction
Green infrastructure is the core of the sustainable approach presented in this Plan. New York
City’s goal for green infrastructure is to capture the first inch of rainfall on 10% of the impervious
areas in combined sewer watersheds through detention or infiltration source controls. The City
proposes to meet this 20-year goal by achieving 1.5% impervious area capture by 2015, an ad-
ditional 2.5% by 2020, an additional 3% by 2025, and the remaining 3% by 2030. Policies to en-
courage green infrastructure will result in continued landscape penetration after 2030.

New York City receives about 43 to 50 inches of precipitation per year with little variation from
month to month. The rain, snow, sleet, and other precipitation lands upon various urban surfac-
es, including rooftops, concrete, asphalt, trees, and open space. Of these surfaces, approxi-
mately 72% are impervious, meaning that water is unable to infiltrate the ground or to be ab-
sorbed by plants, which are parts of the natural hydrologic cycle. Rather, impervious surfaces
shed water, which then becomes runoff that eventually reaches the City’s sewer system or is
discharged directly to adjacent waterbodies.

Source controls moderate or reverse these effects of development by using, enhancing, or

mimicking the natural hydrologic cycle processes of infiltration, evapotranspiration, 1 and reuse.
Source controls work by slowing down or absorbing rainfall before it can enter the sewers.
Green infrastructure infiltration technologies currently in use or that are being piloted through-
out the City include green roofs, enhanced tree pits, bioinfiltration, vegetated swales, pocket
wetlands, and porous and permeable pavements. Vegetated green infrastructure can be
used where plantings can be worked into the urban or suburban landscape, depending upon
the underlying soil conditions, bedrock, water table, and underground utilities (EPA, “Green In-
frastructure: Managing Wet Weather with Green Infrastructure,” website, 2010). Other source
controls use detention technologies, such as blue roofs and subsurface detention systems. For
simplicity, this report uses the term “green infrastructure” to refer to all decentralized source
controls.

The strategies to achieve the 10% goal vary by land use (Table 10, following page). DEP’s anal-
ysis shows that there are opportunities to incorporate green infrastructure in 52% of the land ar-
ea of the City, well more than needed to meet the goal of capturing rainfall from 10% of the
impervious area in 20 years (Tables 10 and 11, following pages). For a highly urbanized city, the
goal of 10% capture over 20 years is ambitious but achievable.

DEP’s comprehensive analysis of these opportunities is based upon its unprecedented review of
land uses, impervious surfaces, development trends, planned road reconstruction projects, and
other opportunities throughout the city. Its analysis was based upon construction permit, demo-
graphic, and geospatial data from the Departments of Finance, City Planning, and Buildings, in
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addition to original satellite imagery and analysis that it commissioned. Land uses comprising
46 significant portions of CSO drainage areas or that provide significant surface area for green
1 Evapotranspiration is the loss of water from the soil both by evaporation and by transpiration from plants.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

infrastructure are identified as opportunities based on this analysis. For each opportunity area,
DEP has developed related strategies for implementing green infrastructure (Table 10). These
amounts vary by watershed (Table 11, following page).
Table 10: Green Infrastructure Opportunities, Strategies, and Technologies (citywide)

% of Combined
Land Use Sewer Potential Strategies and Technologies
Watershed
New development Stormwater performance standard for new and expanded development
5.0%
and redevelopment Rooftop detention; green roofs; subsurface detention and infiltration
Integrate stormwater management into capital program in partnership with DOT, DDC, and
DPR
Streets and sidewalks 26.6% Enlist Business Improvement Districts and other community partners
Create performance standard for sidewalk reconstruction
Swales; street trees; Greenstreets; permeable pavement

Integrate stormwater management into capital program in partnership with NYCHA and HPD
Multi-family residential
3.4%
complexes Rooftop detention; green roofs; subsurface detention and infiltration; rain barrels or cisterns;
rain gardens; swales; street trees; Greenstreets; permeable pavement
Sewer charge for stormwater
DCP zoning amendments
Parking lots 0.5%
Continue demonstration projects in partnership with MTA and DOT
Swales; permeable pavement; engineered wetlands
Partner with DPR to integrate green infrastructure into capital program
Parks 11.6% Continue demonstration projects in partnership with DPR
Swales; permeable pavement; engineered wetlands
Integrate stormwater management into capital program in partnership with DOE
Schools 1.9%
Rooftop detention; green roofs; subsurface detention and infiltration
Grant programs
Vacant lots 1.9% Potential sewer charge for stormwater
Rain gardens; green gardens
Integrate stormwater management into capital programs
Other public
1.1% Rooftop detention; green roofs; subsurface detention and infiltration; rain barrels; permeable
properties
pavement
Green roof tax credit
Sewer charges for stormwater
Other existing
48.0% Continue demonstration projects and data collection
development
Rooftop detention; green roofs; subsurface detention and infiltration; rain barrels or cisterns;
rain gardens; swales; street trees; Greenstreets; permeable pavement

For example, multi-family residential complexes generally contain open space areas for recrea-
tion and community uses or parking areas for residents. These open spaces provide significant
opportunities for porous pavement, bioinfiltration swales and rain gardens, or subsurface deten-
tion. New development provides opportunities to incorporate source controls such as rooftop
detention, green roofs, subsurface detention, and infiltration technologies.

The remaining 48% of the City’s land area is made up of other existing development such as
commercial uses under one acre, industrial and manufacturing uses, and transportation and
utility uses. DEP will encourage green infrastructure in these areas, but is less likely to rely upon
retrofits in these areas to meet its goal of managing runoff from 10% of impervious surfaces.
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In anticipation of the development of this Green Infrastructure Plan, and under its obligation to
47
its customers to pursue cost-effective techniques for controlling pollution, DEP has already com-
mitted several million dollars towards demonstration projects, modeling, mapping, and further

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 Table 11: Summary of Green Infrastructure Opportunities, by Watershed

Hutchinson River

Paerdegat Basin
Gowanus Canal

Newtown Creek
Jamaica Bay &
CSO Tributaries
Flushing Creek
Coney Island

Open Waters

All Drainage
Flushing Bay

Westchester
Alley Creek

Bergen and

East River &

Bronx River
Thurston

Creek

Creek

Areas
Opportunities % of CSO Drainage Area

New development &

4 5 3 3 5 6 5 7 4 4 5 4 4 5
redevelopment

Vacant lots 0.4 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 4 4 2 1 2 2

Right-of-way* 24 26 27 30 25 30 26 31 27 28 32 31 27 27

DDC projects 1 4 0.5 0.2 1 1 1 0.004 1 2 3 0.3 1 1

Commercial corridors - 0.1 0.3 0.3 1 - 0.2 1 - 1 0.2 0.1 - 1

Other streets 17 14 18 20 16 19 18 20 19 17 19 21 19 17

Other sidewalks 6 7 8 10 7 9 7 10 8 8 9 10 8 8

Multi-family residential
4 0.3 5 0.1 3 3 4 1 5 7 1 1 6 3
complexes

Commercial development
2 0.5 0.5 - 0.3 0.5 1 2 1 1 - 0.1 2 0.5
with parking lots

Schools 3 1 2 1 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 1 2

Parks 14 10 11 2 15 1 15 2 2 9 3 1 5 12

Other public properties 0.1 1 2 0.5 - 1 1 15 5 4 1 1 4 1

Total 53 45 54 37 53 44 54 61 50 58 47 43 51 52

*The ROW categories are not additive; they may be greater or smaller than ROW totals due to overlaps or rounding.

analysis. DEP has allocated $5.7 million for various source control demonstration projects, under
an environmental benefit program with DEC undertaken in connection with the settlement of
an enforcement action taken by New York State and DEC for violations of New York State Law
and DEC regulations. These funds include $2.6 million in green infrastructure grants to non-profit
and academic organizations to build green infrastructure in the Gowanus and Flushing Bay wa-
tersheds.

In addition, DEP has committed $15 million for a green infrastructure planning study, under
which it has built or will shortly build several green infrastructure installations on public property
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to provide valuable information about source control performance over time and under New
48
York City-specific conditions.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

Monitoring is a critical component of each pilot project, and is being conducted by frequent
and regular site visits, scientific instrumentation, and desktop calculations. DEP has developed
a set of monitoring parameters for use by other agencies, environmental and engineering firms,
academic institutions and community groups to compile a standardized, robust dataset and
inform future policy decisions for green infrastructure implementation citywide. These projects
will be closely monitored to test the efficacy of green infrastructure over time.

Under the $15 million planning study, DEP has also dedicated resources to track source controls
and to develop a citywide inventory and map. DEP will partner with community groups, envi-
ronmental stewards, and academic institutions to compile data and develop a meaningful,
user-friendly platform for viewing and adding source controls information to the database. Fi-
nally, the planning study has supported the modeling for this Green Infrastructure Plan and fu-
ture refinements to that modeling analysis.

The results of the demonstration projects, tracking efforts, and modeling will be incorporated
into watershed-specific LTCPs and the citywide LTCP.

Green Infrastructure Fund and Task Force

The City is prepared to spend up to $1.5 billion over 20 years, and $187 million in capital funds
over the next four years, for green infrastructure and other elements of the Green Infrastructure
Plan.

The City will prepare a Green Infrastructure Fund to supply capital and maintenance funds for
the incorporation of green infrastructure in planned capital projects such as roadway recon-
structions. These resources will ensure that implementation of the Green Infrastructure Plan starts
incrementally, and that the City will immediately obtain the benefits of green infrastructure that
will continue to accrue over time. DEP will also leverage additional resources that can be freed
-up by deferring the design and construction of inefficient grey infrastructure investments. These
commitments depend, of course, upon acceptance by DEC and credit given to the Green
Infrastructure Plan towards meeting the City’s present and future regulatory commitments.

DEP will also pursue other funding sources such as Clean Water State Revolving Funds and fed-
eral funds for green infrastructure, private funds, ecological restoration funding from the Army
Corps of Engineers and other governmental partners, and stewardship and other resource
commitments from community and civic groups. These amounts could be substantial. DEP ex-
pects there to be approximately $30 million a year in the Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund
Green Reserve, based on recent funding levels. Already, there are $20 million in green infra-
structure projects underway in New York City that are funded by the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA). To spend these resources in the most effective way, the Green Infra-
structure Task Force will identify opportunities for including green infrastructure in the scope of
agencies’ planned capital programs.

This Fund will be used by a Green Infrastructure Task Force comprised of city agencies, and led
by the Mayor’s Office and DEP. The Green Infrastructure Task Force will include various agen-
cies with experience in planning, designing, and building cutting-edge stormwater manage- 49
49
ment techniques with the goal to manage runoff from 10% of the impervious surfaces in 13
combined sewer watersheds. For example, the Department of Education is a leader in blue 49
roof design and construction with 14 school additions currently detaining stormwater through

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 controlled flow roof drains, and another 15 blue roofs to be constructed this year. The Depart-
ment of Design and Construction has designed the Queens Botanical Garden, an international-
ly known example of green infrastructure, while a new DEP maintenance facility designed by
DDC will harvest rainwater from a roof system and will store it in underground cisterns for re-use
in washing trucks. DDC has also published several manuals on incorporating sustainable design
into infrastructure and buildings.

The Department of Transportation has incorporated green infrastructure into its Street Design
Manual and several of its designs for traffic calming measures and other enhancements. And
the Department of Parks and Recreation pioneered the Greenstreets program and has de-
signed enhancements that allow stormwater to be stored in roadway greening projects and to
be incorporated into playground features.

The Task Force would develop approved specifications for green infrastructure to streamline
design and permitting processes. DEP has already collaborated with other agencies to devel-
op green infrastructure designs for demonstration projects in the right-of-way. As a result, ap-
proved specifications for design features such as curb cuts and catch basins are readily availa-
ble to DDC, DOT, DPR and other agencies for their incorporation in future right-of-way projects.

The Task Force would be charged with proposing an annual spending plan for DEP’s considera-
tion. The Task Force would prioritize the selection of projects and develop and implement green
infrastructure plans for specific watersheds. These plans would provide a strategic road map for
achieving widespread green infrastructure penetration in high priority areas based on the mod-
eled benefits and costs of the Green Infrastructure Plan.

The Green Infrastructure Task Force will be supported by a dedicated DEP staff of engineers,
landscape architects, and planners with experience in the design and construction of green
infrastructure.

From 2010 to 2013, the City will:

 Prepare the Green Infrastructure Fund.
 Establish the Green Infrastructure Task Force.
 Develop approved specifications for green infrastructure in commonly-used applica-
tions.
 Streamline design and permitting processes for the incorporation of green infrastructure
in public projects.
 Engage in watershed-level planning to develop annual spending plans for green infra-
structure.

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GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

Stormwater performance standard and opportunities
in new development
New development represents a significant opportunity for citywide implementation because
source controls can be readily incorporated into design and can be built at a relatively small,
incremental cost above overall construction costs. DEP has developed a proposed perfor-
mance standard for new development that would require a stricter stormwater runoff release
rate into the sewer system. The performance standard would encourage use of several types of
stormwater management technologies to provide developers, engineers, and architects with
flexible, cost-effective alternatives.

The performance standard was identified as a key implementation strategy in the Mayor’s Sus-
tainable Stormwater Management Plan and was endorsed by the Green Codes Task Force in
its 2010 Report. DEP will begin stakeholder outreach to obtain input on proposed rule language
in Fall 2010 prior to initiating the City Administrative Procedure Act (CAPA) promulgation pro-
cess. Upon adoption, the performance standard would be incorporated into the Rules of the
City of New York (RCNY).

Proposed stricter release rates could be met by rooftop or subsurface systems (Figure
14). Detention systems would continue to be a key strategy for on-site stormwater manage-
ment due to New York City’s spatial and subsurface conditions, and to ensure the protection of
the city’s sewer system. However, design guidelines would be provided to the development
community to encourage open-bottom detention systems that would allow for infiltration,
where feasible. Approvable systems would include blue roofs, green roofs, detention tanks,
gravel beds, storm chambers, and perforated pipes. DEP and DOB are currently developing
design guidelines and criteria for each of the approvable systems to assist the development
community in selecting the appropriate system and achieving the performance standard.

Figure 14: Potential Gravel Bed to Control Runoff from New Development

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GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 Significantly stricter runoff release rates for new development would slow the flow of storm-
water into the sewer system, thereby freeing up storage capacity. For a half-acre property, the
proposed performance standard would reduce short-term (6-minute) peak discharges into the
system by 80% to 90%, and would reduce longer term (1-hour) peak discharges into the system
by 20% to 50%. The benefits would accrue incrementally over time as the acreage of new de-
velopments grows within a drainage area.

DEP evaluated prototypical lots to determine potential site constraints, if any, for new develop-
ment that would comply with the proposed rule. Subsurface detention systems under the new
rule would require a larger footprint and shallower depths than current systems, due to the
stricter release rate. In addition, buffer areas for buildings and property lines would be required
for any infiltration technologies. In a 10,000 sq. ft. prototypical lot, approximately 75% of the lot
is available for a building footprint despite the increase in surface area compared to a deten-
tion tank under existing rules. If a developer sought to use the entire building lot for develop-
ment, then other alternatives would be available, such as blue and green roofs, and tanks in
basements.

In addition to the analysis of potential site constraints, DEP evaluated the costs of the proposed
rule compared to total development costs (Table 12). By providing a range of detention op-
tions, developers could select the most cost-effective option based on topography, subsurface
conditions, and building design and footprint. Subsurface tanks and rooftop detention systems,
or blue roofs, are considered to be the low-cost options for new buildings.

From 2010 to 2013, DEP will:

 Complete its stakeholder outreach (Fall 2010).
 Adopt a performance standard rule and issue a design manual (Winter 2010 / 2011).
 Encourage the adoption of green infrastructure in new developments.
 Expand its site connection permit review unit to provide advice and guidance about
ways to meet the performance standard with green infrastructure techniques.

Table 12: Costs for Proposed Stormwater Performance Standard*

Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3 Scenario 4

Office Building Office Building
Low-Density Medium-Density Medium-Density
Building Type Residential Residential Residential Big Box Retail
Lot Size 5000 10,000 20,000 43,560
Zoning R4 R6A/C4-2A R6A/C4-2A C8-1
FAR 0.9 3 3 1
Building Footprint, sq ft 1,500 6,000 12,000 21,780
Development Size, sq ft 4,500 30,000 60,000 43,560
Runoff Coefficient 0.7 0.9 0.7 0.9 0.7 0.9 0.7 0.9
Proposed Rule $20,000- $23,000- $35,000- $43,000- $59,000- $71,000- $98,000- $106,000-
Compliance Cost 26,000 27,000 37,000 47,000 80,000 97,000 127,000 167,000
Increment of $3,000- $4,000- $15,000- $15,000- $32,000- $32,000- $44,000- $31,000-
Proposed Rule 9,000 9,000 17,000 19,000 53,000 58,000 73,000 93,000
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Proposed Rule ÷
Total Development Cost* (%) 1.1-1.4% 1.3-1.5% 0.3% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3-0.4% 0.6-0.7% 0.6-1.0%
52
* Total development cost is based on $400 per square foot. Does not include design and construction management costs; costs based
on tanks, gravel beds, and combination tank and blue roof systems.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

Opportunities and initiatives in existing development

Much of New York City is already built, and for that reason, DEP is piloting green infrastructure
that can be retrofitted on existing development such as rain barrels and rooftop detention.

Table 13: DEP Retrofit Demonstration Projects

Green Infrastructure Pilot Location Type Status Construction Completion

Rain Barrel give-away program Jamaica Bay 1,000 rain barrels Completed 2008-2009
Parking lot detention/
MTA parking lot* Jamaica Bay In construction Fall 2010
bioinfiltration
Blue roof/green roof comparison* Jamaica Bay Blue/green roofs Completed August 2010

DEP rooftop detention Newtown Creek Blue roof Design Fall 2010

NYCHA residential retrofit Bronx River Variety of on-site BMPs Design Fall 2010
Parking lot detention/
DOT parking lots* Jamaica Bay bioinfiltration/porous Design Fall 2010
pavement

* This project was undertaken in connection with the settlement of an enforcement action taken by New York State
and DEC for violations of New York State Law and DEC regulations.

Rooftops
Installing source controls on existing rooftops is a primary implementation strategy because
rooftops comprise approximately 28% of New York City’s total impervious surface area (Figure
15). Two alternatives to conventional rooftop surfaces are being tested by DEP and partner
agencies: green roofs and blue roofs.

Figure 15: Rooftops in Downtown Manhattan

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GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 Green roofs

Green roofs consist of a vegetative layer that grows in a specially-designed soil, which sits on
top of a drainage layer. The green roof at the Paerdegat Basin CSO Detention Facility is shown
in Figure 16. Green roofs are more costly than conventional roofs but they are capable of ab-
sorbing and retaining large amounts of stormwater. In other cities, green roofs on just 10% of
buildings are projected to reduce runoff by 2.7% for the region and 54% for individual buildings.
In addition, green roofs provide sustainability benefits such as absorbing air and noise pollution,
rooftop cooling by reducing ultraviolet radiation absorption, creating living environments, and
increasing the quality-of-life for residents.

Figure 16: Green Roof at DEP’s Paerdegat Basin CSO Detention Facility

To encourage installation of green roofs, the City provides a Green Roof Tax Abatement from
City property taxes of $4.50 per square foot of green roof, up to $100,000. Property owners qual-
ify with the installation of a green roof on at least 50 percent of a roof, and preparation of a
maintenance plan to ensure the viability of the vegetation and expected stormwater benefits.
The program is currently scheduled to run until 2013.

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GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 Figure 17: Blue Roof / Green Roof Comparison Study

Blue roofs
Blue roofs are non-vegetated source controls that detain stormwater. Weirs at the roof drain
inlets can create temporary storage and gradual release of stormwater on new, flat roofs.

In partnership with DOE, DEP will design, construct, and evaluate both the blue roof and green
roof technologies on PS 118 in Queens (Figure 17). Data from the study will be collected to
compare the stormwater management performance of green, blue, and control roofs during a
three-year monitoring period. Because all three surfaces will be on the same building, this pilot
will compare costs and benefits under similar environmental conditions.

DEP is also testing technologies that would allow for rooftop detention on existing sloped roofs;
these technologies include trays, check dams, and silt socks. A DEP repair yard in the Newtown
Creek watershed will host a blue roof pilot to compare these technologies (Figure 18).

Figure 18: Pilot - Blue Roof Retrofit Project

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GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 Rain barrels

Rain barrels can help reduce stormwater runoff that enters the City’s sewer system. DEP distrib-
uted 1,000 rain barrels in the spring and summer of 2008 and 2009 in Queens and Brooklyn. The
objective of the demonstration project was to determine homeowners’ interest and ability to
install and maintain rain barrels, and to use stored rainwater for irrigation (Figure 19).

The rain barrels connect directly to the existing downspout to collect water for watering lawns
and gardens, which often account for up to 40% of a household’s summer water consumption
in areas with single-family homes. Using the stored water can reduce the demand on the City’s
water supply during the summer’s hottest days.

Figure 19: Rain Barrel Distribution and Workshops

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GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

High density residential complex retrofit

Multi-family residential complexes make up approximately four percent of all combined sewer
watershed area. In partnership with NYCHA, DEP will construct multiple green infrastructure ele-
ments in a high-density residential housing complex (Figure 20). On the roof of a community
building, DEP will test a modular tray system for detaining stormwater storage. Around the com-
plex, two parking lots will be reconstructed with different source control technologies: a perfo-
rated pipe system that stores up to 600 cubic feet of stormwater and a subsurface storage
chamber that stores up to 780 cubic feet of stormwater. A system of bioswales and bioretention
areas will manage stormwater runoff from the sidewalk area. And a 150-foot by 8-foot section
of sidewalk will be replaced with porous concrete drained by a stone reservoir that provides
delayed discharge for stormwater.

Figure 20: Pilot - Model High Density Housing Retrofit

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GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 Parking lots

Parking lots make up 6% of New York City’s impervious area. Design alternatives to reduce
stormwater runoff from parking lots include porous asphalt, catch basins, bioinfiltration swales,
and subsurface detention and infiltration systems. DEP is partnering with DOT, DCP, and MTA to
encourage green infrastructure installations in parking lots. Three parking lot pilots currently in
design will include bioinfiltration swales, subsurface stormwater chambers, and porous pave-
ment.

In addition to public demonstration projects, the City enacted zoning amendments in 2008 that
require commercial and community facility parking lots to construct interior and perimeter
landscaping that acts as stormwater bioretention cells (Figure 21). If similar development trends
continue for the next 20 years, the new zoning rules would apply to approximately 300 acres of
otherwise impervious surfaces.

Figure 21: DCP Zoning Requirements for Parking Lots

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GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

Sewer charges for stormwater

DEP is piloting a sewer charge for stormwater. Ultimately, such a charge could provide a dedi-
cated revenue stream for stormwater expenditures, to create public awareness around storm-
water issues, and to encourage source controls. New York City’s water and sewer use charges
are currently based on the volume of potable water consumed, and there is little correlation
between the stormwater generated by a property and consumption fees. Yet as stormwater
management and regulatory requirements have evolved, stormwater expenditures have in-
creased over time: DEP’s stormwater-related expenditures comprise up to 20% of its budget
including capital construction of CSO abatement facilities, combined and storm sewers, up-
grades at WWTPs, green infrastructure, restoration, and flood control projects as well as expens-
es to plan, operate and maintain these facilities. These expenditures are projected to continue
increasing to meet more stringent regulatory standards. To pay for rising stormwater expendi-
tures, separate stormwater charges are used by over 500 utilities – including Philadelphia, Wash-
ington DC, San Diego, San Antonio, San Jose, Milwaukee, Detroit, St. Louis, Columbus, Seattle
and Wilmington.

The pilot charge would apply to approximately 350 stand-alone parking lots that currently have
no water service and therefore do not pay for wastewater services. Parking lots will be billed a
sewer charge for stormwater of $0.05 per square foot of property area, a figure derived from
DEP’s stormwater-related capital and expense budget items. The pilot will generate approxi-
mately $0.5 million. A credit program will be in place when DEP implements this charge to in-
centivize approvable green infrastructure technologies.

From 2010 to 2013, DEP will:

 Launch and assess a limited pilot of sewer charges for stormwater for parking lots.
 Analyze its capital and operating budgets to isolate stormwater-related costs.
 Adopt a new billing system that will include capacity for sewer charges for stormwater.
 Map impervious surfaces throughout the City to provide a basis for a sewer charges based
on impervious area.

Stormwater grant program

DEP established a $2.6 million stormwater grant program for the Flushing Bay and Gowanus Ca-
nal watersheds for stakeholder groups to build and monitor green infrastructure, under an envi-
ronmental benefit program with DEC. DEP received several proposals and, in June 2010, DEP
awarded grants to the highest rated proposals, which are:

 Manhattan College was awarded $660,000 for the installation of a modular green roof pro-
ject on New York Hospital that is designed to control runoff from 1-1.5 inches of rainfall on a
0.5 acre roof.
 Columbia University was awarded nearly $389,000 for a Greenstreets stormwater capture
system in Rego Park that will replace nearly 2,500 sq. ft. of impervious surface with permea-
ble pavers and vegetation to capture runoff from a three acre watershed.
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 The Regional Plan Association was awarded $600,000 for Sponge Park™ bioretention basins
under the Long Island Expressway and near the Van Wyck Expressway that have a com- 59
bined capacity to store approximately 204,000 gallons from a two-inch rain event.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

  The Gowanus Canal Conservancy was awarded $583,000 for the 6th Street Green Corridor
Project, which will build seven curbside swales and will capture approximately 40% of the
runoff generated by over 45,000 sq. ft. of street and sidewalk surfaces.
 Unisphere, Inc. was given roughly $386,000 for treatment wetlands and rain gardens that will
capture over 72,000 gallons of runoff for each 1-1.5 inch rain event.

Opportunities and initiatives in the right-of-way

The right-of-way comprises roughly 28% of all New York City CSO drainage areas, more area
than any other category of City-managed land. Most of these surfaces are made of impervious
asphalt and concrete and quickly funnel stormwater into the combined sewer system. The
streets, sidewalks, and medians of New York City create many opportunities to incorporate
green infrastructure into routine right-of-way reconstruction. DEP has partnered with DOT, DDC,
and DPR to design, install, and monitor right-of-way demonstration projects.

Swales and street trees

DEP has constructed five enhanced tree pits and six streetside infiltration swales to evaluate
their performance, maintenance requirements, and total costs. The design of each installation

Table 14: NYC Right-of-Way Demonstration Projects

Construction
Green Infrastructure Pilot Sponsoring Agency Location Type Status
Completion
Manhattan (3)
Bronx (5)
Greenstreets with stormwater
DPR Brooklyn (5) ROW - 15 sites Completed 2006-2009
capture (completed)
Queens (1)
Staten Island (1)

Street trees with stormwater capture Enlarged tree pits (72 trees)
DPR Bronx Completed 2009
(NYSERDA funded) with pipe inlets
5 tree pits/6 swales* DEP Jamaica Bay Right of Way (ROW) Completed 2010
Greenstreets with stormwater
DPR Queens ROW - 4 sites Completed 2010
capture (ARRA funded)
Ready to install
East Houston Street reconstruction DOT/DDC Manhattan ROW - 1 site 2010
in summer
Flushing and Variety of ROW and on-site To be awarded
BMP grant program DEP Proposal dependent
Gowanus BMPs in summer
September-November
North and South Conduit DEP Jamaica Bay Detention/bioinfiltration Design
2010
Bronx (4)
Greenstreets with stormwater
DPR Queens (13) ROW - 22 sites Design 2010-2012
capture (ARRA funded)
Staten Island (5)
Albert Road reconstruction DOT/DDC Queens ROW - 1 site Design 2015
To be installed
after bridge
Belt Parkway Bridges* DEP Jamaica Bay Swales TBD
construction
complete
Astor Place reconstruction DOT/DDC Manhattan ROW - 1 site Design TBD
Greenstreets with stormwater Queens (1)
DPR ROW - 2 sites Design TBD
capture Staten Island (1)

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60 Greenstreets with stormwater
capture (w/ Columbia University)
DPR Queens ROW - 1 site Design TBD

60 * This project was undertaken in connection with the settlement of an enforcement action taken by New York State and DEC for viola-
tions of New York State Law and DEC regulations.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 Figure 22: Pilot – Streetside Enhanced Tree Pits and Infiltration Swales

Commercial Corridor: Commercial Corridor:

Pre-Construction Post-Construction Enhanced Tree Pit

Low Density Residential Street: Low Density Residential Street:

Pre-Construction Post-Construction Infiltration Swale

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Low Density Residential Street: Low Density Residential Street:
Pre-Construction Post-Construction Enhanced Tree Pit

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 involves a large green space in the sidewalk ‒ i.e., 5 feet by 20 feet for enhanced tree pits and
5 feet by 40 feet for infiltration swales ‒ with curb cuts to channel runoff from the street into the
installation and allow stored stormwater or overflow to travel back to the street for conveyance
to storm sewer catch basins (Figure 22). Specifications for the curb cuts and attached plate,
developed specifically for the demonstration projects, were reviewed and approved by DOT,
DPR, and DEP and are readily available for future applications. The enhanced tree pits were
constructed with additional subsurface storage technologies; as a result, stormwater will be
stored for an extended period of time to allow for infiltration and to provide a reservoir of water
for the trees. Each of these pilots will be monitored for a period of three years.

Greenstreets
Launched by DPR and DOT in 1996, the Greenstreets program is a citywide program to convert
paved, vacant traffic islands and medians into green spaces filled with shade trees, flowering
trees, shrubs, and groundcover. Many Greenstreets installations use vegetated controls such as
bioswales and tree pits to use stormwater, and some include a gravel layer to provide more
storage volume. At least 30 new Greenstreets with stormwater capture designs have been de-
signed or constructed throughout the City within the past five years. As a result of a $2 million
ARRA grant, DPR is building at least 26 more Greenstreets with stormwater capture.

Permeable concrete and asphalt pavement

Permeable concrete and asphalt pavement have more void space than conventional treat-
ments. Their porous surfaces capture rainwater and allow it to percolate to the ground or a
catch basin. While the demonstration projects will test whether such materials can last in our
climate, evidence from other northern areas suggests that snow melts quicker on pervious sur-
faces and does not buckle and crack. These surfaces are suited for many uses including side-
walks, parking lots, low traffic residential streets, recreation areas, and schoolyards. In addition
to installations of porous pavement at the NYCHA housing pilot and the parking lot pilots dis-
cussed above, DEP has installed 6,000 square feet of porous concrete adjacent to the Paerde-
gat Basin CSO Detention Facility and is piloting permeable asphalt at the English Kills Aeration
Facility. DEP will monitor the installations to determine maintenance requirements.

Figures 23: Pilot - Porous Concrete Sidewalk at DEP’s Paerdegat Basin CSO Detention Facility

62
62

62

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

Opportunities and initiatives in parks
In partnership with DPR, DEP has been able to design and install various green infrastructure pi-
lot projects around the city.

Table 15: NYC Park Demonstration Projects

Green Infrastructure Pilot Sponsoring Agency Location Type Status Approximate Construction
Shoelace Park (224th st) DEP Bronx River Detention/bioinfiltration Design September - November 2010
Starlight Park DPR/NYSDOT Bronx Rain gardens (11) Design 2010
Shoelace Park (211th st) DPR Bronx River Bioswale Construction 2010
Shoelace Park (226th st) DEP Bronx River Detention/bioinfiltration Proposed 2012
Shoelace Park (219th st) DPR Bronx River Rain Garden Completed 2009

Last Chance Pond DPR Staten Island Constructed wetlands Design TBD

Wetland restoration and bioswales Design / Pre-

Meadow Lake DPR Queens 2012
and rain gardens Contract
Hunters Point South
EDC/DPR Queens ROW, swales Design TBD
Waterfront Park

In 2010 the City will design and build source controls, such as detention and bioinfiltration sys-
tems, in Shoelace Park, in the Bronx River watershed. The City is designing stormwater controls in
five other parks to include green infrastructure such as constructed or restored wetlands, bios-
wales, and rain gardens.

Figure 24: Pilot - Detention and Bioinfiltration at Shoelace Park

63
63

63

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 Watershed-level opportunities, performance, and costs
Watersheds are the critical unit of analysis for controlling CSOs. DEP is required to develop LTCPs
on a watershed basis, and consequently the Green Infrastructure Task Force will seek to direct
the Green Infrastructure Fund to public projects in the watersheds where CSO reductions will
have the greatest impact. DEP has already started the necessary watershed-level planning, as
demonstrated in the following section on watershed-specific opportunities for green infrastruc-
ture.

The opportunities tables on the first page of each specific watershed identify relevant facts
such as impervious cover, existing land uses, trends in new development, right-of-way opportu-
nities, DEC and ecological classifications, existing water and shoreline uses, and socio-
economic statistics. A cost-benefit analysis provides details on watershed-specific CSO volume
reductions that would be achieved through a Grey Strategy or a Green Strategy, and the total
and per gallon capital costs associated with these reductions. The watershed-specific analyses
indicate significant variations in costs and benefits that reflect the underlying land uses, geo-
graphic sizes, and DEP infrastructure.

The following, facing pages in each watershed section contain an aerial photograph of each
watershed. The combined sewer watershed boundaries are shown on each map. All maps are
accompanied with pie-charts that allow the user to quickly quantify land uses geographically
represented in the map (follow the map legend for corresponding colors in the pie-chart). The-
se geographic analyses are the bases for the highlighted green infrastructure opportunities ta-
bles in the beginning of each watershed section. To estimate future new development, DEP
used the Department of Finance Real Property Assessment, and Department of City Planning
MapPLUTO databases to analyze the underlying land uses and to estimate recent develop-
ment trends. New development and vacant lots are identified in connection with proposed on-
site stormwater performance standards. To identify opportunities to build green infrastructure
on public property, the maps show schools, parks, multi-family complexes, and other areas
where the agency can increase its ongoing partnerships to build demonstration projects with
DOE, DPR, and NYCHA. To identify green infrastructure opportunities in the right-of-way, DEP
obtained data about DDC’s planned projects through 2020, including water main and sewer
replacements, sidewalk reconstructions, and street reconstructions. The maps also indicate
commercial corridors where there are potential partnerships with Business Improvement Districts
(BIDs). Commercial developments with parking lots are identified to potentially expand DEP’s
and other City agencys’ current parking lot initiatives.

The maps also show known locations of existing and planned green infrastructure installations
based upon current DEP projects, and data provided by Columbia University, Bronx River Alli-
ance, NYC Soil and Water Conservation District, DPR, Mayor’s Office of Long-Term Planning and
Sustainability, and eDesign Dynamics/Drexel University. DEP is committed to tracking and map-
ping future green infrastructure installations.

64
64

64

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

Watershed-level opportunities, performance, and costs

65
65

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 ALLEY CREEK
Total Watershed Drainage Area: 4,879 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Area: 2,292 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Impervious Area: 1,490 acres
Opportunity Area for Source Controls: 1,230 acres

The goal is to manage stormwater from 10% of the impervious surfaces in the combined sewer
contributory area. There are opportunities in 53% of the combined sewer contributory area.

Opportunities in Combined Sewer Contributory Area Acres % of Watershed

New development/redevelopment 102 4%
Vacant lots 9 0.4%
Right-of-way 569 24%
Planned ROW Projects 17 1%
Other streets 402 17%
Other sidewalks 151 6%
Multi-family residential complexes 105 4%
Commercial development with parking lots 40 2%
Schools 76 3%
Parks 327 14%
Other public properties 2 0.1%
TOTAL 1,230 53%

Wastewater Treatment Plant(s): Tallman Island

NYSDEC Classification(s): Class I & SB – Primary and Secondary Contact,
Bathing and Fishing
Ecological Classification(s): Special Natural Waterfront Area (DCP)
Significant Coastal Fish & Wildlife Habitats Recreational Boating and Fishing
Existing Water Uses: Shoreline Uses: Residential, Recreational, Parkland and Open Space

140,000
Borough(s): Queens Median HH Income: $73,728
120,000
ALLEY CREEK

Community District(s): 11

100,000

80,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

0
66 Total Minority In Labor Force Below Poverty
Population Population Level

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 PERFORMANCE AND COSTS

ALLEY CREEK
CSO Volume
Capital Cost Capital Cost
Reduction
($M) per Gallon
(MG/yr)
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments—Outfall & Sewer System Im-
244 $142 $0.58
provements, CSO Facility

PLUS Reduced Flow 1 - -

PLUS Green Infrastructure (10% Capture) 37 $72 $1.96
PLUS Tide Gate Repair and Interceptor Cleaning NA NA NA
Green Strategy Total 282 $214 $0.76
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments 244 $142 $0.58
PLUS Potential Tanks, Tunnels & Expansions NA NA NA
Grey Strategy Total 244 $142 $0.58

67

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 ALLEY CREEK

68

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

OPPORTUNITIES
 ALLEY CREEK

69

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 BERGEN AND THURSTON BASINS
Total Watershed Drainage Area: 22,093 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Area: 2,873 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Impervious Area: 2,413 acres
Opportunity Area for Source Controls: 1,297 acres

The goal is to manage stormwater from 10% of the impervious surfaces in the combined sewer
contributory area. There are opportunities in 45% of the combined sewer contributory area.

Opportunities in Combined Sewer Contributory Area Acres % of Watershed

New development/redevelopment 138 5%
Vacant lots 23 1%
Right-of-way 760 26%
Planned ROW Projects 121 4%
Commercial corridors 2 0.1%
Other streets 420 14%
Other sidewalks 218 7%
Multi-family residential complexes 8 0.3%
Commercial development with parking lots 13 0.5%
Schools 24 1%
Parks 293 10%
Other public properties 38 1%
TOTAL 1,297 45%
BERGEN AND THURSTON BASINS

Wastewater Treatment Plant(s): Jamaica

NYSDEC Classification(s): Class I – Secondary Contact, Boating and Fishing
Ecological Classification(s): Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat Special Natural
Waterfront Area (DCP)
Existing Water Uses: Commercial Barge Traffic, Recreational Boating and Fishing
Shoreline Uses: Residential, Industrial, Commercial, Recreational, Parkland
and Open Space

Borough(s): Queens 300,000

Community District(s): 9 & 10 Median HH Income: $57,092
250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

0
70 Total Minority In Labor Force Below Poverty
Population Population Level

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 PERFORMANCE AND COSTS

BERGEN AND THURSTON BASINS

CSO Volume
Capital Cost Capital Cost
Reduction
($M) per Gallon
(MG/yr)
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments—Meadowmere & Warnerville
DWO Abatement, Sewer System Improvements, Regulator Automation, High Level Sewer 1,125 $912 $0.81
Separation in Southeast Queens.

PLUS Reduced Flow 11 - -

PLUS Green Infrastructure (10% Capture) 45 $121 $2.67
PLUS Tide Gate Repair and Interceptor Cleaning 411 $12.33 $0.03
Green Strategy Total 1,592 $1,046 $0.66
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments 1,125 $912 $0.81
PLUS Potential Tanks, Tunnels & Expansions 2 $490 $245.00
Grey Strategy Total 1,127 $1,402 $1.24

71

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 BERGEN AND THURSTON BASINS

72

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

OPPORTUNITIES
 BERGEN AND THURSTON BASINS

73

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 BRONX RIVER
Total Watershed Drainage Area: 4,160 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Area: 2,842 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Impervious Area: 2,331 acres
Opportunity Area for Source Controls: 1,609 acres

The goal is to manage stormwater from 10% of the impervious surfaces in the combined sewer
contributory area. There are opportunities in 54% of the combined sewer contributory area.

Opportunities in Combined Sewer Contributory Area Acres % of Watershed

New development/redevelopment 103 3%
Vacant lots 53 2%
Right-of-way 812 27%
Planned ROW Projects 14 0.5%
Commercial corridors 9 0.3%
Other streets 547 18%
Other sidewalks 242 8%
Multi-family residential complexes 161 5%
Commercial development with parking lots 14 0.5%
Schools 65 2%
Parks 337 11%
Other public properties 64 2%
TOTAL 1,609 54%

Wastewater Treatment Plant(s): Hunts Point

NYSDEC Classification(s): Class I – Secondary Contact, Boating and Fishing
Ecological Classification(s): Special Natural Waterfront Area (DCP)
Existing Water Uses: Pedestrian and Bicycle Trailways, Recreational Boating
Shoreline Uses: Industrial, Residential, Recreational, Parkland and Open
Space, Commercial
Borough(s): Bronx
Community District(s): 6, 9 & 11 400,000
Median HH Income: $34,170
350,000
BRONX RIVER

300,000

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

0
74
Total Minority In Labor Force Below Poverty
Population Population Level

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 PERFORMANCE AND COSTS

BRONX RIVER
CSO Volume
Capital Cost Capital Cost
Reduction
($M) per Gallon
(MG/yr)
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments—Hunts Point WWTP Headworks
346 $20 $0.06
Improvements

PLUS Reduced Flow 13 - -

PLUS Green Infrastructure (10% Capture) 75 $119 $1.58
PLUS Tide Gate Repair and Interceptor Cleaning NA NA NA
Green Strategy Total 434 $140 $0.32
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments 346 $20 $0.06
PLUS Potential Tanks, Tunnels & Expansions NA NA NA
Grey Strategy Total 346 $20 $0.06

75

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 BRONX RIVER

76

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

OPPORTUNITIES
 BRONX RIVER

77

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 CONEY ISLAND CREEK
Total Watershed Drainage Area: 3,120 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Area: 723 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Impervious Area: 694 acres
Opportunity Area for Source Controls: 262 acres

The goal is to manage stormwater from 10% of the impervious surfaces in the combined sewer
contributory area. There are opportunities in 37% of the combined sewer contributory area.

Opportunities in Combined Sewer Contributory Area Acres % of Watershed

New development/redevelopment 22 3%
Vacant lots 6 1%
Right-of-way 209 30%
Planned ROW Projects 2 0.2%
Commercial corridors 2 0.3%
Other streets 138 20%
Other sidewalks 68 10%
Multi-family residential complexes 1 0.1%
Schools 10 1%
Parks 11 2%
Other public properties 3 0.5%
TOTAL 262 37%

Wastewater Treatment Plant(s): Owls Head

NYSDEC Classification(s): Class I – Secondary Contact, Boating and Fishing
Ecological Classification(s): No Designation
Existing Water Uses: Recreational Boating and Fishing
CONEY ISLAND CREEK

Shoreline Uses: Commercial, Recreational, Residential, Parkland and

Open Space

Borough(s): Brooklyn
Community District(s): 11 200,000
Median HH Income: $43,208

160,000

120,000

80,000

40,000

0
78 Total Minority In Labor Below
Population Population Force Poverty Level

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 PERFORMANCE AND COSTS

CONEY ISLAND CREEK

CSO Volume
Capital Cost Capital Cost
Reduction
($M) per Gallon
(MG/yr)
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments—Avenue V Pump Station
259 $199 $0.77
Upgrade & Force Main

PLUS Reduced Flow 4 - -

PLUS Green Infrastructure (10% Capture) 6 $37 $6.40
PLUS Tide Gate Repair and Interceptor Cleaning NA NA NA
Green Strategy Total 269 $236 $0.88
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments 259 $199 $0.77
PLUS Potential Tanks, Tunnels & Expansions NA NA NA
Grey Strategy Total 259 $199 $0.77

79

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 CONEY ISLAND CREEK

80

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

OPPORTUNITIES
 CONEY ISLAND CREEK

81

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 EAST RIVER AND OPEN WATERS
Total Watershed Drainage Area: 90,966 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Area: 50,774 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Impervious Area: 41,127 acres
Opportunity Area for Source Controls: 30,607 acres

The goal is to manage stormwater from 10% of the impervious surfaces in the combined sewer
contributory area. There are opportunities in 53% of the combined sewer contributory area.
Opportunities in Combined Sewer Contributory Area Acres % of Watershed
New development/redevelopment 3,124 5%
Vacant lots 1,259 2%
Right-of-way 14,590 25%
Planned ROW Projects 506 1%
Commercial corridors 683 1%
Other streets 9,292 16%
Other sidewalks 4,201 7%
Multi-family residential complexes 1,833 3%
Commercial development with parking lots 183 0.3%
Schools 1,030 2%
Parks 8,589 15%
TOTAL 30,607 53%

Wastewater Treatment Plant(s): Red Hook, Newtown Creek, Bowery Bay, Wards Island, Hunts Point, Tallman
Island, North River, Port Richmond, Owls Head
EAST RIVER AND OPEN WATERS

NYSDEC Classification(s): Class I – Secondary Contact, Boating and Fishing

(East River, Harlem River, Hudson River and Upper bay)
Class SA – Primary and Secondary Contact, Shellfishing
(Lower Bay and Raritan Bay)
Class SB – Primary and Secondary Contact, Fishing and Bathing
(East River, Hudson River, Lower Bay and Raritan Bay)
Class SD – Fish Survival (Arthur Kill and Kill Van Kull)
Ecological Classification(s): Special Natural Waterfront Area (DCP, East River) Significant Coastal Fish and
Wildlife Habitats (NYSDOS, Arthur Kill, East River, Hudson River, Kill Van Kull
and Lower Bay)
Existing Water Uses: Commercial and Municipal Shipping and Barging, Recreational Boating,
Fishing and Swimming, Shellfishing
Shoreline Uses: Residential, Commercial, Municipal, Industrial , Recreational ,
Institutional, Military, Swimming, Private Beach Clubs, Parks and Open Space
Borough(s): all
4,500,000
Median HH Income: $48,562
Community District(s): 4,000,000
Manhattan (1-12)
3,500,000
Bronx (1-5, 7, 8, 10)
Brooklyn (1-3, 7-12) 3,000,000

Queens (1, 2, 7) 2,500,000

Staten Island (1) 2,000,000

1,500,000

1,000,000

500,000

82 0
Total Minority In Labor Below
Population Population Force Poverty Level

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 PERFORMANCE AND COSTS

EAST RIVER AND OPEN WATERS

CSO Volume
Capital Cost Capital Cost
Reduction
($M) per Gallon
(MG/yr)
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments—Bowery Bay WWTP Head-
works Improvements, Regulator Automation, Port Richmond Throttling Facility, In-Line Storage,
East River Plan Regulator Improvements, Wards Island WWTP Flow Maximization, Gravity 2,865 $345 $0.12
Diversion at Hannah Street Pump Station, Divert Low-Lying Sewers, Raise Weir at Regulator,
Tallman Island WWTP Flow Maximization

PLUS Reduced Flow 1,282 - -

PLUS Green Infrastructure (10% Capture) 548 $463 $0.84
PLUS Tide Gate Repair and Interceptor Cleaning 65 $1 $0.02
Green Strategy Total 4,760 $808 $0.17
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments 2,865 $345 $0.12
PLUS Potential Tanks, Tunnels & Expansions NA NA NA
Grey Strategy Total 2,865 $345 $0.12

83

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 FLUSHING BAY
Total Watershed Drainage Area: 6,423 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Area: 4,499 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Impervious Area: 4,049 acres
Opportunity Area for Source Controls: 1,973 acres

The goal is to manage stormwater from 10% of the impervious surfaces in the combined sewer
contributory area. There are opportunities in 44% of the combined sewer contributory area.

Opportunities in Combined Sewer Contributory Area Acres % of Watershed

New development/redevelopment 258 6%
Vacant lots 48 1%
Right-of-way 1,335 30%
Planned ROW Projects 64 1%
Other streets 871 19%
Other sidewalks 400 9%
Multi-family residential complexes 115 3%
Commercial development with parking lots 22 0.5%
Schools 67 2%
Parks 61 1%
Other public properties 65 1%
TOTAL 1,973 44%

Wastewater Treatment Plant(s): Bowery Bay and Tallman Island

NYSDEC Classification(s): Class I – Secondary Contact, Boating and Fishing
Ecological Classification(s): Special Natural Waterfront Area (DCP)
Existing Water Uses: Commercial and Municipal Barge Traffic, Recreational
Boating
Shoreline Uses: Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Municipal,
Recreational, Parkland and Open Space
Borough(s): Queens
Community District(s): 4 & 6
300,000
FLUSHING BAY

Median HH Income: $53,424

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

0
84 Total Minority In Labor Force Below Poverty
Population Population Level

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 PERFORMANCE AND COSTS

FLUSHING BAY
CSO Volume
Capital Cost Capital Cost
Reduction
($M) per Gallon
(MG/yr)
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments—Regulator Modifications 363 $5 $0.01

PLUS Reduced Flow 111 - -

PLUS Green Infrastructure (10% Capture) 214 $216 $1.01
PLUS Tide Gate Repair and Interceptor Cleaning NA NA NA
Green Strategy Total 688 $221 $0.32
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments 363 $5 $0.01
PLUS Potential Tanks, Tunnels & Expansions—Flushing Bay CSO Tunnel 761 $800 $1.05
Grey Strategy Total 1,124 $805 $0.72

85

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 FLUSHING BAY

86

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

OPPORTUNITIES
 FLUSHING BAY

87

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 FLUSHING CREEK
Total Watershed Drainage Area: 9,954 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Area: 8,342 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Impervious Area: 5,923 acres
Opportunity Area for Source Controls: 4,408 acres

The goal is to manage stormwater from 10% of the impervious surfaces in the combined sewer
contributory area. There are opportunities in 54% of the combined sewer contributory area.
Opportunities in Combined Sewer Contributory Area Acres % of Watershed
New development/redevelopment 373 5%
Vacant lots 52 1%
Right-of-way 2,091 26%
Planned ROW Projects 68 1%
Commercial corridors 13 0.2%
Other streets 1,432 18%
Other sidewalks 579 7%
Multi-family residential complexes 345 4%
Commercial development with parking lots 59 1%
Schools 211 3%
Parks 1,212 15%
Other public properties 66 1%
TOTAL 4,408 54%
Wastewater Treatment Plant(s): Bowery Bay and Tallman Island
NYSDEC Classification(s): Class I – Secondary Contact, Boating and Fishing
Ecological Classification(s): Special Natural Waterfront Area (DCP)
Existing Water Uses: Commercial Barge Traffic and Recreational Boating
Shoreline Uses: Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Municipal,
Recreational, Parkland and Open Space
Borough(s): Queens
FLUSHING CREEK

Community District(s): 7 & 8

300,000
Median HH Income: $58,635
250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

0
88 Total Minority In Labor Force Below Poverty
Population Population Level

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 PERFORMANCE AND COSTS

FLUSHING CREEK
CSO Volume
Capital Cost Capital Cost
Reduction
($M) per Gallon
(MG/yr)

Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments—CSO Facility 957 $356 $0.37

PLUS Reduced Flow 36 - -

PLUS Green Infrastructure (10% Capture) 151 $298 $1.97

PLUS Tide Gate Repair and Interceptor Cleaning 85 $3 $0.03

Green Strategy Total 1,229 $656 $0.53

Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments 957 $356 $0.37

PLUS Potential Tanks, Tunnels & Expansions NA NA NA
Grey Strategy Total 957 $356 $0.37

89

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 FLUSHING CREEK

90

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

OPPORTUNITIES
 1% 1%

FLUSHING CREEK
20%

46%
8%
1%
1% 4%

2% 16%

91

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 GOWANUS CANAL
Total Watershed Drainage Area: 1,758 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Area: 1,524 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Impervious Area: 1,387 acres
Opportunity Area for Source Controls: 888 acres

The goal is to manage stormwater from 10% of the impervious surfaces in the combined sewer
contributory area. There are opportunities in 61% of the combined sewer contributory area.

Opportunities in Combined Sewer Contributory Area Acres % of Watershed

New development/redevelopment 100 7%
Vacant lots 32 2%
Right-of-way 449 31%
Planned ROW Projects 0.1 0.004%
Commercial corridors 12 1%
Other streets 285 19%
Other sidewalks 152 10%
Multi-family residential complexes 19 1%
Commercial development with parking lots 22 2%
Schools 28 2%
Parks 24 2%
Other public properties 213 15%
TOTAL 888 61%

Wastewater Treatment Plant(s): Red Hook and Owls Head

NYSDEC Classification(s): Class SD – Fish Survival
Ecological Classification(s): No Designation
Existing Water Uses: Commercial Shipping and Barging, Recreational Boating
Shoreline Uses: Commercial, Industrial, Municipal, Parkland and Open
Space
GOWANUS CANAL

Borough(s): Brooklyn 120,000

Community District(s): 6 Median HH Income: $67,538

100,000

80,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

0
92 Total Minority In Labor Force Below poverty
Population Population level

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 PERFORMANCE AND COSTS

GOWANUS CANAL
CSO Volume
Capital Cost Capital Cost
Reduction
($M) per Gallon
(MG/yr)
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments—Gowanus Pump Station
143 $115 $0.81
Upgrade

PLUS Reduced Flow 29 - -

PLUS Green Infrastructure (10% Capture) 32 $75 $2.33
PLUS Tide Gate Repair and Interceptor Cleaning NA NA NA
Green Strategy Total 204 $190 $0.93
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments 143 $115 $0.81
PLUS Potential Tanks, Tunnels & Expansions NA NA NA
Grey Strategy Total 143 $115 $0.81

93

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 GOWANUS CANAL

94

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

OPPORTUNITIES
 3%
3%
3%

20%

GOWANUS CANAL
7%

5%

11%

6% 33%

9%

95

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 HUTCHINSON RIVER
Total Watershed Drainage Area: 2,572 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Area: 1,410 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Impervious Area: 1,128 acres
Opportunity Area for Source Controls: 687 acres

The goal is to manage stormwater from 10% of the impervious surfaces in the combined sewer
contributory area. There are opportunities in 50% of the combined sewer contributory area.

Opportunities in Combined Sewer Contributory Area Acres % of Watershed

New development/redevelopment 51 4%
Vacant lots 58 4%
Right-of-way 372 27%
Planned ROW Projects 8 1%
Other streets 260 19%
Other sidewalks 103 8%
Multi-family residential complexes 71 5%
Commercial development with parking lots 15 1%
Schools 21 2%
Parks 29 2%
Other public properties 70 5%
TOTAL 687 50%

Wastewater Treatment Plant(s): Hunts Point

NYSDEC Classification(s): Class SB – Primary and Secondary Contact, Fishing and
Bathing
Ecological Classification(s): Special Natural Waterfront Area (DCP)
Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitats
HUTCHINSON RIVER

Existing Water Uses: Commercial Shipping and Barging, Recreational Boating

Shoreline Uses: Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Recreational,
Municipal, Parkland and Open Space
Borough(s): Bronx
160,000
Community District(s): 12 Median HH Income: $46,900
140,000

120,000

100,000

80,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

0
96 Total Minority In Labor Force Below Poverty
Population Population Level

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 PERFORMANCE AND COSTS

HUTCHINSON RIVER
CSO Volume
Capital Cost Capital Cost
Reduction
($M) per Gallon
(MG/yr)
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments—Hunts Point WWTP Improve-
36 $3 $0.08
ments

PLUS Reduced Flow 7 - -

PLUS Green Infrastructure (10% Capture) 52 $58 $1.10
PLUS Tide Gate Repair and Interceptor Cleaning NA NA NA
Green Strategy Total 95 $61 $0.64

Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments 36 $3 $0.08

PLUS Potential Tanks, Tunnels & Expansions—CSO Retention Facilities 124 $341 $2.75

Grey Strategy Total 160 $344 $2.15

97

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 HUTCHINSON RIVER

98

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

OPPORTUNITIES
 2%
3% 6%

10%

HUTCHINSON RIVER
43%
7%

3%
6%

1% 19%

99

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 JAMAICA BAY AND CSO TRIBUTARIES
Total Watershed Drainage Area: 50,708 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Area: 6,600 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Impervious Area: 5,478 acres
Opportunity Area for Source Controls: 3,809 acres

The goal is to manage stormwater from 10% of the impervious surfaces in the combined sewer
contributory area. There are opportunities in 58% of the combined sewer contributory area.

Opportunities in Combined Sewer Contributory Area Acres % of Watershed

New development/redevelopment 275 4%
Vacant lots 231 4%
Right-of-way 1,809 28%
Planned ROW Projects 147 2%
Commercial corridors 54 1%
Other streets 1,096 17%
Other sidewalks 517 8%
Multi-family residential complexes 445 7%
JAMAICA BAY AND CSO TRIBUTARIES

Commercial development with parking lots 34 1%

Schools 145 2%
Parks 595 9%
Other public properties 275 4%
TOTAL 3,809 58%

Wastewater Treatment Plant(s): Rockaway and 26th Ward

NYSDEC Classification(s): Class I – Secondary Contact, Boating and Fishing Class
SB – Primary & Secondary Contact, Fishing and Bathing
Ecological Classification(s): Critical Environmental Area, Significant Coastal Fish and
Wild-life Habitat, Special Natural Waterfront Area,
National Wildlife Refuge
Existing Water Uses: Commercial and Municipal Shipping and Barging,
Borough(s): Brooklyn and Queens Recreational Boating and Fishing, Commercial Boating,
Community District(s): Brooklyn (5 & 16), Wildlife Refuge, Municipal Vessel Traffic
Queens (9 & 10) 600,000
Median HH Income: $42,621
500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

100 0
Total Minority In Labor Below
Population Population Force Poverty Level

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 PERFORMANCE AND COSTS

JAMAICA BAY AND CSO TRIBUTARIES

Capital Cost Capital Cost per Gallon
$1,600 ($ millions) $6.00
$1,400
$5.00
$1,200

$1,000 $4.00

$800 $3.00
$600
$2.00
$400
$1.00
$200

$- $-
Green Strategy Grey Strategy Green Strategy Grey Strategy

CSO Volume
Capital Cost Capital Cost
Reduction
($M) per Gallon
(MG/yr)
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments—26th Ward Drainage Area
207 $169 $0.82
Sewer Cleaning, Spring Creek CSO Facility Upgrade, Parallel Interceptor & Bending Weir

PLUS Reduced Flow 29 - -

PLUS Green Infrastructure (10% Capture) 49 $284 $5.80

PLUS Tide Gate Repair and Interceptor Cleaning 4 $0.12 $0.03

Green Strategy Total 289 $454 $1.57

Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments* 152 $119 $0.78

PLUS Potential Tanks, Tunnels & Expansions 132 $546 $4.14

Grey Strategy Total 284 $665 $2.34

* Cost-Effective Grey Investments under the Grey Strategy do not include the interceptor and bending weir option (55 mg reduction)
included under the Green Strategy, as they are not necessary with the 26th Ward WWTP wet weather expansion. 101

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 JAMAICA BAY AND CSO TRIBUTARIES

102

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

OPPORTUNITIES
 103
JAMAICA BAY AND CSO TRIBUTARIES

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 NEWTOWN CREEK
Total Watershed Drainage Area: 7,441 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Area: 6,032 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Impervious Area: 4,524 acres
Opportunity Area for Source Controls: 2,263 acres

The goal is to manage stormwater from 10% of the impervious surfaces in the combined sewer
contributory area. There are opportunities in 47% of the combined sewer contributory area.

Opportunities in Combined Sewer Contributory Area Acres % of Watershed

New development/redevelopment 254 5%
Vacant lots 85 2%
Right-of-way 1,534 32%
Planned ROW Projects 137 3%
Commercial corridors 12 0.2%
Other streets 940 19%
Other sidewalks 447 9%
Multi-family residential complexes 71 1%
Schools 130 3%
Parks 140 3%
Other public properties 50 1%
TOTAL 2,263 47%
Wastewater Treatment Plant(s): Newtown Creek and Bowery Bay
NYSDEC Classification(s): Class SD – Fish Survival
Ecological Classification(s): No Designation
Existing Water Uses: Commercial and Municipal Shipping and Barging
Shoreline Uses: Industrial, Institutional, Commercial, Municipal

Borough(s): Brooklyn and Queens

Community District(s): Brooklyn (4)
NEWTOWN CREEK

Queens (2 & 5) 400,000

Median HH Income: $43,227
350,000

300,000

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

0
104 Total Minority In Labor Below Poverty
Population Population Force Level

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 PERFORMANCE AND COSTS

NEWTOWN CREEK
Capital Cost Capital Cost per Gallon
$1,600
($ millions)
$1,400 $6.00

$1,200 $5.00

$1,000
$4.00
$800
$3.00
$600
$2.00
$400

$200 $1.00

$- $-
Green Strategy Grey Strategy Green Strategy Grey Strategy

CSO Volume
Capital Cost Capital Cost
Reduction
($M) per Gallon
(MG/yr)
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments—Throttling Facility, Expand
Newtown Creek WWTP capacity to 700MGD, Bending Weirs, Dutch Kills Relief Sewer, Regulator 229 $236 $1.03
Modifications

PLUS Reduced Flow 49 $0 $0.00

PLUS Green Infrastructure (10% Capture) 155 $249 $1.60

PLUS Tide Gate Repair and Interceptor Cleaning 15 $0.05 $0.003

Green Strategy Total 448 $485 $1.08

Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments 229 $236 $1.03

PLUS Potential Tanks, Tunnels & Expansions —Newtown Creek CSO Retention
786 $1,300 $1.65
Tunnel

Grey Strategy Total 1,015 $1,536 $1.51

105

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 NEWTOWN CREEK

106

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

OPPORTUNITIES
 NEWTOWN CREEK

107

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 PAERDEGAT BASIN
Total Watershed Drainage Area: 6,824 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Area: 5,192 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Impervious Area: 4,725 acres
Opportunity Area for Source Controls: 2,037 acres

The goal is to manage stormwater from 10% of the impervious surfaces in the combined sewer
contributory area. There are opportunities in 43% of the combined sewer contributory area.

Opportunities in Combined Sewer Contributory Area Acres % of Watershed

New development/redevelopment 177 4%
Vacant lots 49 1%
Right-of-way 1,495 31%
Planned ROW Projects 16 0.3%
Commercial corridors 4 0.1%
Other streets 1,016 21%
Other sidewalks 459 10%
Multi-family residential complexes 63 1%
Commercial development with parking lots 6 0.1%
Schools 115 2%
Parks 61 1%
Other public properties 69 1%
TOTAL 2,037 43%
Wastewater Treatment Plant(s): Coney Island
NYSDEC Classification(s): Class I – Secondary Contact, Boating and Fishing
Ecological Classification(s): Special Natural Waterfront Area (DCP)
Existing Water Uses: Recreational Boating and Fishing
Shoreline Uses: Commercial, Municipal, Recreational, Parkland and
Open Space
Borough(s): Brooklyn
PAERDEGAT BASIN

Community District(s): 14, 17 & 18

600,000
Median HH Income: $48,572
500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0
108 Total Minority In Labor Below Poverty
Population Population Force Level

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 PERFORMANCE AND COSTS

PAERDEGAT BASIN
CSO Volume
Capital Cost Capital Cost
Reduction
($M) per Gallon
(MG/yr)
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments—CSO Facility 1,278 $387 $0.30

PLUS Reduced Flow 116 - -

PLUS Green Infrastructure (10% Capture) 65 $256 $3.94

PLUS Tide Gate Repair and Interceptor Cleaning 6 $0.03 $0.01

Green Strategy Total 1,465 $643 $0.44

Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments 1,278 $387 $0.30

PLUS Potential Tanks, Tunnels & Expansions NA NA NA

Grey Strategy Total 1,278 $387 $0.30

109

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 PAERDEGAT BASIN

110

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

OPPORTUNITIES
 2%
2% 1%

10%

PAERDEGAT BASIN
4%
3%

4%
4% 54%

16%

111

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 WESTCHESTER CREEK
Total Watershed Drainage Area: 4,952 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Area: 4,243 acres
Combined Sewer Contributory Impervious Area: 3,480 acres
Opportunity Area for Source Controls: 2,287 acres

The goal is to manage stormwater from 10% of the impervious surfaces in the combined sewer
contributory area. There are opportunities in 51% of the combined sewer contributory area.

Opportunities in Combined Sewer Contributory Area Acres % of Watershed

New development/redevelopment 189 4%
Vacant lots 92 2%
Right-of-way 1,222 27%
Planned ROW Projects 24 1%
Other streets 850 19%
Other sidewalks 348 8%
Multi-family residential complexes 267 6%
Commercial development with parking lots 68 2%
Schools 61 1%
Parks 209 5%
Other public properties 179 4%
TOTAL 2,287 51%
Wastewater Treatment Plant(s): Hunts Point
NYSDEC Classification(s): Class I – Secondary Contact, Boating and Fishing
Ecological Classification(s): Special Natural Waterfront Area (DCP)
Existing Water Uses: Commercial Barging, Recreational Boating
Shoreline Uses: Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Residential,
Recreational, Parkland and Open Space
WESTCHESTER CREEK

Borough(s): Bronx
Community District(s): 9, 10, 11 & 12
600,000
Median HH Income: $45,436
500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0
112 Total Minority In Labor Force Below Poverty
Population Population Level

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 PERFORMANCE AND COSTS

WESTCHESTER CREEK
CSO Volume
Capital Cost Capital Cost
Reduction
($M) per Gallon
(MG/yr)
Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments—Hunts Point WWTP Improve-
216 $46 $0.21
ments, Regulator Improvements

PLUS Reduced Flow 13 - -

PLUS Green Infrastructure (10% Capture) 84 $178 $2.11

PLUS Tide Gate Repair and Interceptor Cleaning NA NA NA

Green Strategy Total 313 $223 $0.71

Cost-Effective Grey Infrastructure Investments 216 $46 $0.21

PLUS Potential Tanks, Tunnels & Expansions—CSO Facility 140 $409 $2.92

Grey Strategy Total 356 $455 $1.28

113

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 2% 3%

7%

11% 37%

5%

4%
7%
5%
19%
WESTCHESTER CREEK

114

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

OPPORTUNITIES
 WESTCHESTER CREEK

115

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

116
116

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

4. INSTUTIONALIZE ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT,
MODEL IMPACTS, MEASURE PROGRAM
ELEMENTS, AND MONITOR WATER QUALITY

Institutionalizing adaptive management

The City’s Green Infrastructure Plan will reduce CSOs by building Cost-Effective Grey Infrastruc-
ture, optimizing the existing wastewater system, and installing source controls to manage runoff
from 10% of impervious surfaces in CSO watersheds.

The Green Infrastructure Plan is an example of adaptive management, an iterative decision-

making process where incremental measures are matched with feedback mechanisms. Better
decisions in successive rounds lead to a process and culture of continual improvement. This
learning-by-doing framework is appropriate for contexts where there is considerable uncertain-
ty. From DEP’s point of view, adaptive management is a necessary approach to address CSOs
because of the uncertainty of shifting requirements, climate, rainfall, population, land use, la-
bor costs, material costs, and technology. At the core of this strategy is DEP’s ability to model
performance to support scenario planning, to measure performance to assess progress to-
wards our management goals and interim milestones, and to monitor water quality to ensure
that we are meeting our ultimate objectives.

Improving water quality modeling

DEP’s ultimate goal is a water quality-based plan so that its investments can be focused where
they are most needed. The LTCPs will be based on achieving water quality objectives in specif-
ic watersheds. The modeling results underlying this first installment of the Green Infrastructure
Plan are preliminary and reflect CSO reductions rather than ambient water quality improve-
ments, which DEP expects to show, but has not yet quantified.

By mid-2011, well in advance of the LTCPs, DEP will conduct additional modeling to understand
the likely effects of the Green Infrastructure Plan on ambient water quality. DEP will complete
additional water quality modeling for four watersheds within six months and will complete addi-
tional modeling for all of the 13 watersheds in one year.

Recalibrate the InfoWorks model using updated impervious data. The current InfoWorks model
is based on estimates of impervious cover from aerial photography for limited areas of New
York City. DEP now has detailed impervious data for all of the City, based on a satellite flyover
in 2009 that took infrared images and captured the light spectrum emitted by vegetated and
impervious areas. Additional flow monitoring has been conducted at ten locations, and ten
more are planned to support recalibration of the model. Model recalibration may affect CSO
total volumes and reductions for the various strategies presented in this first installment of the 117
Green Infrastructure Plan.
117

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 Incorporate DEP’s recently updated wastewater flow projections. The results presented in this
report reflect a mix of baseline conditions (2005, 2008 and 2045). DEP is creating a consistent set
of baseline data based on 2030 flow projections. This data will more precisely predict the ef-
fects of more modest flows from our consistently declining water use.

Model the effects of a combination of detention strategies and infiltration strategies. The model-
ing relied upon in this plan is based on infiltration strategies. A combined approach using de-
tention technologies is more realistic given New York City soils, bedrock, groundwater, under-
ground utilities, and ultra-urban environment. While detention strategies are more difficult to
model, DEP has developed a methodology for doing so. DEP is also building a number of infil-
tration and detention technologies to determine the strategies that will work for New York City;
the monitoring from these demonstration projects will be used to inform future modeling of
green infrastructure.

Model ambient water quality. The more detailed modeling of predicted CSO reductions will be
used to support modeling of the effects of the Green Infrastructure Plan upon water quality.

DEP will also model the hydraulic capacities of the sewer system in key drainage areas. In order
to maximize the use of the existing system, DEP will assess the capacity of the interceptors and
large lateral sewers in key drainage areas to determine their capability for retaining additional
wet weather flow. This will help determine where additional cost-effective retrofits may be ap-
propriate. This modeling will also help DEP determine if some flow can be diverted to less-
sensitive CSO outfall locations.

118
118

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

Measuring program performance and CSOs
The goal of this Green Infrastructure Plan is to improve ambient water quality by reducing CSO
volumes throughout New York City. Direct and comprehensive CSO measurement poses a
great challenge due to the large number and widespread distribution of the 422 combined
sewer outfalls throughout the City (Figure 25). To date, DEP has developed three methods to
monitor CSO events: telemetry at CSO outfalls, flows captured by WWTPs, and outflow from
CSO retention facilities.

Figure 25: CSO Outfalls in New York City

119
119

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 Telemetry at CSO outfalls. DEP operates a computerized telemetry system that monitors the ele-
vation of wastewater flows at 110 regulators throughout the interceptor sewer system. The te-
lemetry system monitors the flow treated at DEP’s 14 WWTPs; 83% of the citywide CSO flow was
estimated based on modeling using this system. This coverage is possible because the 110 reg-
ulators monitored encompass all Tier 1, 2 and 3 outfalls, which service most of the land area in
the City (see Figure 26).4

Figure 26: Tier 1, 2, and 3 CSO Outfalls and Associated Service Areas

120
120 4 Tier 1 outfalls comprise roughly 50% of all CSO volumes; Tier 2 outfalls account for an additional 25% of CSO volumes; and subsequent
tiers offer diminishing returns on CSO monitoring: Tier 3 an additional 15%, Tier 4 an additional 5%, and Tier 5 the remaining 5%.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

DEP is in the process of upgrading its Supervisor Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system
to improve the monitoring of wastewater elevations in regulators. SCADA systems gather and
analyze real-time data to monitor and control equipment, and are widely used in the telecom-
munications, water and wastewater utility, energy, and transportation industries. By gathering
information, transferring it back to a central site, carrying out necessary analysis, and displaying
the information in a logical and organized fashion, DEP’s SCADA systems will allow for greater
control. For example, DEP’s SCADA operators will be able to open and close gates at regulator
chambers in order for its interceptors to store excess flow during wet weather periods. Once the
new SCADA system is complete, DEP will be able to evaluate whether there are reductions in
potential CSO overflows related to specific strategies in drainage areas. DEP also has telemetry
at its 95 pumping stations where it measures and reports for wet well elevation.

Flow captured by WWTPs. DEP monitors the hourly flow captured by wastewater treatment
plants during wet weather. This allows the agency to evaluate the performance of WWTPs dur-
ing individual storm events and also to understand the impact of CSO initiatives on the reten-
tion time within each of our interceptors. Our WWTPs can process up to twice their design ca-
pacity during wet weather periods, and hourly monitoring of the inflow enables DEP to com-
pare the flow profile associated with storm events. For example, improved optimization of inter-
ceptors will allow more sewage to be processed and less CSOs discharged, thus reducing the
number of hours where WWTPs register maximal inflows.

Outflow from CSO detention facilities. DEP currently operates CSO detention facilities at Spring
Creek and Flushing Creek, and will begin operations at the Paerdegat Basin and Alley Creek
CSO detention facilities in 2011. By monitoring the flow delivered through these CSO detention
facilities DEP can assess whether the initiatives to store additional flow within the collection sys-
tems are leading to measureable improvements.

These three methods, together with sophisticated CSO models, allow DEP to monitor CSO
events and assess the relative impact of its initiatives on CSO outflows. DEP’s systems, however,
cannot measure actual CSO volumes and current technology to meter the precise quantities
of CSOs at outfall locations is limited.

Monitoring ambient water quality

For the past 100 years, DEP has been monitoring New York Harbor to evaluate the improve-
ments from the construction and optimization of WWTPs and sewers. Since the Harbor Survey
was started in 1909 with 12 monitoring stations around Manhattan, it has evolved into a tool
that regulators, scientists, managers, educators, and citizens rely on to assess impacts, trends,
and improvements in the harbor’s water quality.

Today, DEP collects 20 water quality parameters from 57 stations across the Harbor, more pa-
rameters and locations than other municipalities in New York State. DEP conducts monthly test-
ing at all 57 stations, with weekly testing during the summer season. DEP samples the waterways
for dissolved oxygen to protect marine life and fecal coliform bacteria to protect human
health. In addition to mandatory parameters, DEP measures 18 additional indicators in its test-
ing regime, including water transparency, chlorophyll A (for algae blooms), temperature, and 121
pH. DEP’s water quality testing is supplemented with a shoreline water quality testing program
conducted in partnership with the New York City Department of Health. These results are re- 121
ported in DEP’s New York Harbor Water Quality Annual Reports.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 Harbor water quality has improved dramatically since the initial surveys, and monitoring ena-
bles DEP to manage its operations to maintain high water quality and to focus attention and
resources on areas that need to be improved. Nonetheless, some small tributaries – the creeks,
canals, basins that feed into New York Harbor – are periodically affected by pathogens from
CSO events.

DEP will increase the number of monitoring sites at the mouths of key tributaries to gauge im-
provements in pathogen concentrations resulting from the green strategy.

Research and development for measuring CSOs

The industry standard is to use computer models to estimate future CSO volumes and associat-
ed pollutant loadings for purposes of making investment decisions, and such models have long
been accepted by regulators. The sophisticated models used by DEP have been customized
for more than a decade to reflect the City’s unique infrastructure, as calibrated by flow meter-
ing. These models predict CSO flows depending on the sewer configurations of individual
catchment and sub-catchment areas.

Actual monitoring is also critical to managing CSOs. Despite advancements in technology,

however, measuring the flow of CSO volumes is difficult in combined sewer systems that are
influenced by tidal waters. When tide gates are working, the end of the CSO outfall is closed
during high tide; when they are not working, tidal flows can intrude into the regulator. These
tidal conditions and other factors make it very difficult to rely upon flow meters.

DEP conducted a flow meter pilot study from January to April 2007 to assess four leading flow
meters from different manufacturers. The meters were designed to monitor the volume of sew-
age flow at critical regulator sites in a range of flow conditions. The study concluded that none
of the flow meters made reliable measurements within an acceptable range of accuracy.
Since then, DEP has continued to track the efforts of other municipalities to measure CSOs, and
not found any successful, independent efforts to identify reliable technology.

Accordingly, DEP will launch a focused and applied research effort to develop the best strate-
gy and technology for quantifying and tracking CSO volumes. That effort will challenge the
wastewater engineering and technology industry to develop, through a request for expressions
of interest, an appropriate application.

122
122

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

5. ENGAGE AND ENLIST STAKEHOLDERS IN
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

Notification systems to reduce potential exposure

During the time that DEP’s green infrastructure initiatives take root and other CSO control
mechanisms are built, it is important to reduce exposure to potentially harmful waters. The City
has several structural safeguards in place. The most important is the construction of public
bathing facilities in areas that are not affected by CSOs because they are far from outfalls or
are in areas with undisturbed shorelines and strong tidal flows. The City has over 14 miles of pub-
lic bathing beaches with supporting amenities that hosted over 7.7 million visitors in 2009. The
New York City Department of Health has a vigorous monitoring and advisory system to protect
bathers from pathogen infection, and this system is integrated with the City’s 311 system and
an email notification system to provide information to the public.

The City does not recommend swimming

Figure 27: Old and New CSO Signs
in unofficial areas, which do not have life-
guards and may be located where there
are dangerous riptides, currents, and boat
traffic. In addition, unofficial swimming ar-
eas may be closer to CSO outfalls or in
confined and altered waters that do not
have a flow that is sufficient to remove
contaminants. State water quality regula-
tions reflect these appropriate uses in har-
bor waters, and restrict “primary contact
recreation” to bathing beaches and simi-
lar areas. These standards provide another
layer of institutional control against expo-
sure to pathogens.

Nevertheless, there is a risk that some Old CSO Sign

members of the public will be exposed to
contaminants from CSOs through inci-
dental contact with the water. DEP has
installed signs on the water side and land
side of all 422 CSO outfalls that can be
read by the public. The current signs con-
tain language that, although it has been
approved by the DEC, is not as informative
as it could be (Figure 27). To improve the
notification program, DEP is replacing the
current signs with new signs that meet DEC
requirements and will be easier to read 123
from a distance, will have clearer warnings
for wet weather events that could cause 123
CSOs, and will have graphic images to
New CSO Signs

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 convey unambiguous warnings about recreational use to English and non-English speakers
alike. These replacements will be completed in the next two years.

In addition, DEP is updating its website so that members of the public can check to see where
CSOs are likely. The website will include real-time rainfall gauges at the airports and Central
Park as well as model predictions about the effect of rainfall on various waterbodies. This sys-
tem cannot predict every overflow; it is particularly challenging to predict overflows caused by
rainfall over a limited area that may not be captured by the official rainfall gauges. Neverthe-
less, members of the public will be able check the site before swimming, boating, or fishing to
obtain general advice about whether CSO events are likely.

Public outreach, education, and engagement

As stormwater management systems become more decentralized, well-organized data sys-
tems and stakeholder participation are critical. At the outset, DEP will have to educate devel-
opers, the general public, and other stakeholders about their role in the management of storm-
water. In partnership with DEC, this outreach effort will involve community boards, stormwater
advocacy and green job non-profit organizations, Citizens Advisory Committees (CACs), civic
organizations and other City agencies. The City will be sure to include environmental justice or-
ganizations and communities where the sustainability benefits of green infrastructure – cool
shady streets, improved air quality, and energy savings – are especially needed. DEP will ex-
tend its educational outreach effort to encourage the community to build and maintain green
infrastructure.

Outreach and education

DEP will meet with community groups, environmental groups, and the general public to de-
scribe the agency’s vision for the Green Infrastructure Plan, to explain our analysis and model-
ing assumptions, to identify opportunities for building green infrastructure, and to develop stew-
ardship programs for maintaining green infrastructure. On June 28, 2010, DEP held an initial
public meeting on the major findings in this report. DEP’s website will also include related infor-
mation, graphics, and provide an online system for the submittal of public ideas. These prelimi-
nary discussions with stakeholders will enable DEP, together with DEC, to further refine and de-
velop a comprehensive outreach program.
69
This preliminary effort, including stakeholders’ involvement and input, will carry over into out-
reach that is necessary for the formulation of LTCPs. DEP foresees a significant role for stake-
holder involvement in the citywide LTCP development process and plans to establish a citywide
CAC that will meet regularly. Other outreach efforts could include mailings, media notifications,
water bill inserts, and a public service announcement to be played while 311 callers are on
hold, featuring the DEP Commissioner talking about stormwater management. DEP will also use
its dedicated education program and community liaisons who work with schools and are regu-
larly involved in community board meetings and events.

124 In anticipation of those efforts, DEP has already revamped its website to include a comprehen-
sive overview of the city’s sewer system that explains how the system functions during wet
124 weather and the issues surrounding stormwater and water quality. In the future it will provide
multi-media information for a range of audiences to understand stormwater-related issues and

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

the necessary steps to solve these issues. DEP sees the website as a critical tool for stormwater
education as well as for distributing important information to the stakeholders and general
public. The website would link to a citywide CAC.

Partnerships to build and maintain green infrastructure

Partnerships are critical to the successful implementation of green infrastructure. DEP is current-
ly working on several fronts to enlist community-based organizations and local universities in
the implementation of green infrastructure. As noted in this Plan, DEP issued $2.6 million in
grants to local environmental groups and academic institutions to build research-based
demonstration projects such as green roofs, permeable pavement, curbside swales, rain gar-
dens, and restored wetlands.5 Past grant programs have sponsored other demonstration pro-
jects and curriculum-based programs for long term maintenance and monitoring. DEP has also
provided in-kind services such as water quality modeling and supplying materials. Finally, DEP
will continue to share monitoring data from our demonstration projects and obtain data from
outside groups.

DEP has also worked with other city agencies to build stormwater pilots on various types of
public property. The City’s Green Infrastructure Task Force will strengthen these relationships by
provide planning, design, and funding for agency partners to incorporate stormwater man-
agement into their capital projects and standard designs, and to plan for long-term mainte-
nance. The Task Force will also facilitate outside funding for green infrastructure construction
and maintenance.

Green infrastructure conference

Cities around the world are adopting innovative environmental policies within a framework of
sustainability to cope with climate change and to maintain population and economic growth.
At the same time, wastewater utilities across the globe seek more intelligent ways to deliver
services, regulators are focusing on nonpoint sources and other unexamined sources of pollu-
tion, and new technologies are being developed to assist in those efforts. To bring these strains
together – and to develop practical solutions to our common problems – DEP will sponsor an
international forum to focus on innovative ideas and strategies for urban green infrastructure
and sustainable approaches to water quality. This conference will bring together scientists, en-
gineers, planners, and policy makers to share their experiences and to develop practical solu-
tions.

125
125
5 In coordination with an environmental benefit program with DEC undertaken in connection with the settlement of an enforcement
action taken by New York State and DEC for violations of New York State Law and DEC regulations.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

126
126

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

 NEXT STEPS
Begin immediate implementation of the Green
Infrastructure Plan
The City is taking a number of concrete steps to begin early implementation of the Green Infra-
structure Plan:

1. Preparing a Green Infrastructure Fund;

2. Creating an inter-agency partnership – the Green Infrastructure Task Force – to incorpo-
rate stormwater management into roadway, sidewalk, and other capital projects and to
provide for the maintenance of green infrastructure;
3. Building green infrastructure demonstration projects on a variety of land uses;
4. Partnering with community groups to develop programs for the construction and mainte-
nance of green infrastructure;
5. Launching a comprehensive program to increase optimization of the existing system, in-
cluding drainage plans, hydraulic studies, the survey and rehabilitation of 136 miles of in-
terceptor sewers in two years, the inspection and repair of tide gates, and programs to
prevent grease from obstructing the sewers;
6. Developing a stormwater management standard for new construction and redevelop-
ment that expands existing development;
7. Piloting sewer charges for stormwater for stand-alone parking lots;
8. Refining DEP models by including new impervious cover data and extending predictions
to ambient water quality;
9. Identifying other funding for additional elements of the Green Infrastructure Plan; and
10. Replacing all CSO outfall signs to reduce potential exposure.

Incorporate green infrastructure and adaptive

management into the existing regulatory structure
The Green Infrastructure Plan is a natural extension of the Clean Water Act, which is built upon
a foundation of adaptive management principles. Such regulatory mechanisms as the five
year cycle of discharge permits, the three year cycle of water quality standard reviews, the
two year cycle of state Section 305(b) water quality assessments, the periodic state Section 303
(d) impaired waters listings, and the planning process under Section 303(e), require iterative,
incremental decision-making.
127
In another context – the Filtration Avoidance Determination under the Safe Drinking Water Act
– the City, State, EPA and other partners have used an adaptive structure to protect the safety 127

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 of New York City’s drinking water with decentralized, cost-effective solutions. There, the Catskill
and Delaware watershed partners have preserved forested areas and natural buffers, and
have used landscape-based stormwater techniques, in a multi-year program across an entire
watershed, to avoid centralized infrastructure that would not have been cost-effective. This ap-
proach can and must be used under the Clean Water Act.

In the context of CSO policy, consent orders and LTCPs should allow for learning by doing and
for the maturation of green infrastructure designs and techniques. (See Coordinating CSO Long
Term Control Plans with Water Quality Standards Reviews, EPA Guidance on Implementing the
Water Quality Based Provisions of the CSO Control Policy (2001) (“An iterative, phased imple-
mentation of CSO controls fits well with the watershed approach.”)).

The EPA recently held a forum on water policy. (See Coming Together for Clean Water (April 15,
2010, Washington, DC). One of its main topics was the watershed approach to clean water,
which the EPA has long endorsed as one of four pillars of sustainable infrastructure. In the Com-
ing Together for Clean Water forum, the EPA explained its preferred watershed approach in
terms that almost exactly match New York City’s approach in PlaNYC, the Jamaica Bay Water-
shed Protection Plan, the Sustainable Stormwater Management Plan, and now the Green Infra-
structure Plan:

The watershed approach provides a coordinated, holistic frame-

work to water resources management that encourages locally
led public and private sector efforts to address the highest priority
problems within hydrologically defined geographic areas. To be
ultimately successful, the watershed approach must fully em-
brace clear, unambiguous goals, program integration and adap-
tive management; waterbody protection, restoration, and en-
hancement; planning and implementation; and regulatory and
non-regulatory approaches.

(http://blog.epa.gov/waterforum/discussion-document/) (emphasis added)

The City’s Green Infrastructure Plan meets these criteria. First, it has clear goals. Meeting appli-
cable state water quality standards is the ultimate performance standard under the Clean Wa-
ter Act, and DEP will have to demonstrate attainment ‒ or the lack of attainment due to other
factors ‒ in the LTCPs and in subsequent monitoring. In this report DEP has suggested a man-
agement goal: capturing the first inch of rainfall on 10% of the impervious areas in CSO water-
sheds through detention or infiltration techniques, at the end of a 20-year implementation peri-
od. Furthermore, DEP proposes to meet this goal by achieving 1.5% by 2015, another 2.5% by
2020, another 3% by 2025, and the remaining 3% by 2030.

Second, DEP’s program includes adaptive management and watershed approaches. Adap-
tive management is explained in detail in the previous section. As to waterbody protection, the
Facility Plans, anticipated LTCPs, and DEP’s whole approach, are proceeding on a waterbody
basis. Over the next year, DEP will refine its modeling and will extend its predictions to ambient
water quality.
128 Third, the entire CSO program is focused on waterbody protection and implementation to
meet water quality standards, where attainable. That yardstick allows DEP, with the advice and
128
approval of DEC, to decide where to focus its investments. DEP’s Cost-Effective Grey Infrastruc-

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ture Investments are expected to meet current water quality standards in the Paerdegat Basin,
Coney Island, Alley Creek, and East River and Open Waters watersheds. While some elements
of the Green Infrastructure Plan will occur in every area, it may not be necessary to make pub-
lic investments in green infrastructure in watersheds where there is likely to be attainment of wa-
ter quality standards.

Instead, water quality and economic considerations are likely to drive DEP’s initial investment of
public funds in green infrastructure towards watersheds where attainment of water quality
standards is not likely. Candidate watersheds include:

 The Hutchinson River, Westchester Creek, Flushing Bay, and Jamaica Bay and CSO Trib-
utaries watersheds, where DEP is seeking to preclude the need for tanks, tunnels and
expansions. (A tunnel is also proposed for Newtown Creek, but green infrastructure strat-
egies need to be synchronized with Superfund and other planned water quality con-
cerns improvements.)
 The Bronx River watershed, where DEP has not yet invested heavily in hard infrastructure
and where there is significant public support for green infrastructure.
 The Gowanus watershed.

The prioritization of these and other watersheds will depend upon modeled predictions about
meeting water quality objectives.

Fourth and finally, DEP has proposed non-regulatory approaches to complement the existing
regulatory approaches to stormwater control. PlaNYC, the City’s sustainability plan, sets forth a
holistic program of planting a million trees, improving air quality, reducing greenhouse gases,
encouraging green roofs, requiring green parking lots and, of course, improving water quality
through a mix of traditional and green infrastructure. In 2008, the City published the Sustainable
Stormwater Management Plan, the product of an interagency task force effort to identify inno-
vative and flexible approaches to encouraging source controls of runoff. This Green Infrastruc-
ture Plan advances those ideas and provide a detailed implementation plan.

This holistic watershed approach must be incorporated into the existing regulatory structure to
be fully realized. For over 20 years, DEP has made great progress working with DEC to meet the
requirements of the Clean Water Act and the national CSO control policy. However, to make
further progress, DEP will work with DEC, EPA, community leaders, and environmental stakehold-
ers to reach a consensus about the direction and scope of the Green Infrastructure Plan and to
memorialize that consensus.

The City submits this Green Infrastructure Plan to DEC for its consideration and incorporation
into the CSO order and future LTCPs. The City believes that the most sustainable and cost-
effective approach will include certain grey infrastructure projects, conservation, green infra-
structure, and operational measures to control CSOs. This approach will take time to imple-
ment, but the City is starting immediately to take specific steps to create a greener, greater city
by 2030.

129
129

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130
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 APPENDIX
INFOWORKS MODELING DETAILS
WWTP dry weather flows (MGD)
Total
Total 12
Year 26W BB CI HP JA NC NR OH PR RH TI WI All
WWTPs
WWTPs
2005 52 108 87 121 82 211 121 95 28 28 57 198 1188 1,237
2006 50 97 83 115 83 214 118 96 28 30 54 203 1171 1,223
2007 46 95 80 118 84 223 119 87 26 30 53 209 1170 1,221
2008 44 94 78 120 81 220 119 89 27 26 54 201 1153 1,203
2009 42 97 80 114 76 233 115 86 24 26 53 184 1130 1,175
New DEP Wastewater Projections
2010 47 98 82 118 81 220 118 91 27 28 54 199 1162 1,212
2020 47 102 83 118 84 222 121 92 28 28 56 201 1182 1,233
2030 48 107 85 120 88 225 124 94 29 29 58 204 1212 1,265
2045 Flow Projections Used in the Facility Plan Modeling
2045 67 129 107 128 88 268 163 115 39 39 60 219 1422

Note: Blue indicates wastewater flows (dry weather) modeled in this plan. Green indicates 2030 flows that
exceed modeled flows.

1. 2045 flows used for waterbody and watershed Facility Plans are extremely conservative; 35
years out and based on an unreasonable new growth per capita of 161 gallons per capita
per day (gpcd). This is more than twice the amount New York City is experiencing today.

2. Therefore, for Green Infrastructure Plan modeling, DEP used 2005 flows (except Newtown
Creek-used 2008 flows) as a conservative estimate of future flows. Water consumption and
wastewater flows have declined considerably from 2005 levels. In 2005, wastewater flows
were 62 mgd over 2009 levels.

3. Since completing its modeling for the Green Infrastructure Plan, DEP has completed new
projections that show that, except for 4 plants, 2005 levels will not be reached until 2030 or
beyond. For the 4 plants (shown in green), 2030 values are within 3-6 mgd of 2005/8 values.

4. DEP’s new projections are based on new growth per capita of 78 gpcd, which was conser-
vatively estimated.

5. Baseline maximum wet weather treatment plant capacity and sewer system delivery ca- 131
pacity are taken as the typical conditions that existed in New York City in 2003 prior to sign-
ing the CSO Consent Order as was the case for the modeling that supported the Facility 131
Plans.

APPENDIX
 In-city water consumption & wastewater flows:
historic and future projections

Water consumption and wastewater flows are projected to remain stable over next 10-20
years.

132
132

APPENDIX
Green infrastructure modeling approach
 Controlled impervious surfaces through retention of first 1 inch of rainfall

Example:
 Catchment #1 is 120 acres (ac), including 100 acres impervious, 20 acres pervious:
 Since the goal is capture of 10% of stormwater runoff: 10% x 100 acres = 10 acres
 For the rest of the catchment = 90 acres impervious + 20 acres pervious = 110 acres
 All other characteristics of subcatchments 1a and 1b are exactly the same (width of
overland flow, slope, roughness, etc.)

 Rainfall for each subcatchment

Created two rainfall patterns:
 Rainfall pattern 1 = 1988 rainfall (base year)
 Rainfall pattern 2 = same but removed first 1 inch of rain from each storm event
#1a subjected to rainfall pattern 2
#1b subjected to rainfall pattern 1 (including both its impervious and pervious portions)

133
133

APPENDIX
 Tide gate modeling approach

 Assess CSO reduction benefits of reducing inflow of tide water into combined sewer systems
through leaking tide gates
 Reduce leakage to levels required to meet SPDES 400 mg/L chloride limit
 Assume sanitary sewage is reduced equally throughout system
 Assess CSO reduction benefits of removing sediments in combined sewer systems
 Step 1 - Put measured sediment into model & calculate annual CSO
 Step 2 - Remove sediment from model & calculate annual CSO
 Less sanitary sewage in system, more CSO to WWTP

Existing DEP Potential

12-month Calc allow leakage reduction
average SPDES Limit Q leak estimate leakage
CI mg/L 400 mg/l MGD MGD MGD
Wards Island 430 400 5.3 9.1 3.8
North River 220 400 3.1 3.0 NA
Hunts Point 210 400 3.0 1.5 NA
26th Ward 360 400 1.1 1.1 NA
Coney Island 710 400 2.0 3.9 1.9
Owls Head 170 400 2.2 0.9 NA
Newtown Creek 660 400 5.6 12.1 6.5
Red Hook 640 400 0.7 1.4 0.7
Jamaica 210 400 2.1 1.0 NA
Tallman Island 320 400 1.4 1.5 0.1
Bowery Bay 380 400 2.4 2.9 0.5
Rockaway 1900 400 0.6 2.9 2.3
Oakwood Beach 170 400 0.7 0.3 NA
Port Richmond 420 400 0.6 1.0 0.4

Potential reduction of leakage flow to the plant based on leakage over SPDES limit of 400 mg/l
chlorides. This reduction at the plant was modeled to determine annual CSO volume reduc-
tions.

134
134

APPENDIX
Interceptor cleaning modeling approach
Sediment data assignment
 Multiple depths available for each interceptor segment
 IW model sediment depth calculated by averaging “Deposit Codes” in IW pipe segment

Amount of Annual CSO Annual CSO

Already accounted for in the
Interceptor Sediment Reduction Reduction
2008 and WBWS modeling
(cubic yards) (Volume) (Percent)

26th Ward 484 6 1.8% Yes

Jamaica 3072 411 24.5% No
Tallman Island 499 41 1.3% Yes

135
135

APPENDIX
 InfoWorks model

General
The InfoWorks model is a commercially available product from Wallingford Software (http://
www.wallingfordsoftware.com). The model is used to analyze urban hydrology and hydraulics.
The InfoWorks model is capable of using GIS data, of modeling continuous and event simula-
tions, of incorporating real time controls, of modeling green and grey infrastructure, and of per-
forming water quality tracking.

Urban hydrology & hydraulic modeling

 Infiltration models are based off of the Horton’s infiltration model (see following page).
 Overland runoff routing is modeled using the Non-linear Reservoir Runoff Routing Model.
 Sewer flow routing models are governed by the Saint-Venant Equation. The latest data
used in the model assumes that there are 25,000 catchments, 7,500 pipes, and 6,000 man-
holes and regulators. The model uses a sewer size of greater than 36 inches for all NYC sew-
ers.

Horton’s infiltration model

f = fc + (fo - fc) exp (-kt)

fc = final rate value

fo = initial rate value

f(t) = rate of water loss into soil

K = decay rate

Saint-Venant equations

136
136

APPENDIX
Process used in LTCP project
 fo and fc are set from SWMM literature, (e.g., 8-12”/hour for HSG A – sand)

 K is set as default, but fo and fc are adjusted during the hydrologic model calibration

SWMM overland flow routing model

This model analyzes the processes through which the rainfall excess is transported to the point
of interest. This transport occurs primarily in the form of overland flow (very shallow open chan-
nel flow). This model uses a simple reservoir routing model.

Non-Linear Reservoir Model of Subcatchment

137
137

APPENDIX
 Unique WQ methodology used in NYC

Model parameters reviewed during facility planning and green in-

frastructure evaluation

138
138

APPENDIX
 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE COST ESTIMATE DETAILS - CITYWIDE

Impervious Area Public Public

Private Onsite
to Be Addressed Onsite CSO ROW Onsite Public Private
ROW Portion Development $/acre $/acre Total Costs
Scenario to Meet 10% Development Reductions Portion Development Portion Total Portion Total
(Acres) Portion On-site ROW (Millions)
Capture Portion (MGY) (Millions) Portion (Millions) (Millions)
(Acres)
(Acres)* (Acres) (Millions)

Alley Creek 223 54 85 85 37 $ 200,000 $ 720,000 $ 39 $ 17 $ 55 $ 17 $ 72

Bergen and Thurston 362 94 134 134 45 $ 200,000 $ 720,000 $ 68 $ 27 $ 95 $ 27 $ 121
Bronx River 350 95 128 128 75 $ 200,000 $ 720,000 $ 68 $ 26 $ 94 $ 26 $ 119
Coney Island Creek 104 31 36 36 6 $ 200,000 $ 720,000 $ 22 $ 7 $ 30 $ 7 $ 37
East River & Open Waters 2,313 - - 2,313 548 $ 200,000 $ 720,000 $ - $ - $ - $ 463 $ 463
Flushing Bay 607 182 212 212 214 $ 200,000 $ 720,000 $ 131 $ 42 $ 174 $ 42 $ 216
Flushing Creek 888 231 329 329 151 $ 200,000 $ 720,000 $ 166 $ 66 $ 232 $ 66 $ 298
Gowanus Canal 208 64 72 72 32 $ 200,000 $ 720,000 $ 46 $ 14 $ 61 $ 14 $ 75
Hutchinson 169 46 62 62 52 $ 200,000 $ 720,000 $ 33 $ 12 $ 45 $ 12 $ 58
Jamaica Bay & CSO Tributaries 822 230 296 296 49 $ 200,000 $ 720,000 $ 166 $ 59 $ 225 $ 59 $ 284
Newtown Creek 679 217 231 231 155 $ 200,000 $ 720,000 $ 156 $ 46 $ 203 $ 46 $ 249
Paerdegat Basin 709 220 245 245 65 $ 200,000 $ 720,000 $ 158 $ 49 $ 207 $ 49 $ 256
Westchester Creek 522 141 191 191 84 $ 200,000 $ 720,000 $ 101 $ 38 $ 140 $ 38 $ 178
TOTAL 7,956 1,605 2,019 4,332 1,514 - - $ 1,155 $ 404 $ 1,559 $ 866 $ 2,426

*Impervious area assumptions: While the goal of the Green Strategy is to capture 1 inch of runoff from 10% of impervious areas in combined sewer watersheds, for the cost analysis, DEP conservatively assumed
that 15% of the impervious area of each watershed would be needed to meet the 10% capture goal, pending further modeling. This is because the current modeling is based on capturing 1 inch of runoff based
on infiltration techniques, while it is more likely that a combination of detention and infiltration technologies will actually be used to manage stormwater. Equivalent capture through detention technologies will
require more land area. Combined detention and infiltration scenarios will be modeled in Phase 2.

APPENDIX
139
139
 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE COST ESTIMATE DETAILS
Example of Stormwater Source Control Costs for Sidewalk Swales to Capture One Acre of Impervious Surface
CONSTRUCTION BUDGET ESTIMATE
Green Infrastructure Type: Sidewalk Swale

System Length = 40 ft Drainage Area 2,200 sf

System Width = 5 ft BMP AREA 200 sf
System Height = 4.5 ft Storage Provided* = 183 cf
Excavation Depth (System Height+ 6" base) = 5 ft

Materials Quantity Unit Unit Material Cost Total Material Cost

Disposal 37 CY $ 35.00 $ 1,295
Install Sandy Loam Soils 19 CY $ 78.00 $ 1,482
Select Granular Fill - Drainage Stone 1 CY $ 32.00 $ 32
Root Barrier 52 LF $ 9.50 $ 494
Curb Piece Installation and Sidewalk Repair 18 LF $ 125.00 $ 2,250
Fence and Tree Guard Installation 50 LF $ 55.00 $ 2,750
Trees 2 EA $ 800.00 $ 1,600
Plantings and Mulch 200 SF $ 4.25 $ 850
Equipment Rental Cost 10 days $ 325.00 $ 3,250
Total Material & Equipment Cost $ 14,003

Labor Time and Cost Quantity Unit Daily Fee per Crew Labor Estimate
Total Labor Estimate 10 days $ 1,552.00 $ 15,520

Total Construction Cost per Swale $ 29,523

Total Construction Cost per 1-Acre of Impervious Surface 20 (# swales needed to capture 1 acre impervious) $ 590,460

Design, Construction Monitoring, and Contingency (20% of total) $ 118,092

Total Cost for Streetside Swale with Design, Construction Monitoring & Contingency $ 708,552
*
Capacity is to capture one inch of rainfall and does not assume infiltration

140
140

APPENDIX
 Example of Stormwater Source Control Costs for Perforated Pipe on One Acre Property
CONSTRUCTION BUDGET ESTIMATE
Green Infrastructure Type: Perforated Pipe

System Length = 99 ft Drainage Area 43,560 sf

System Width = 110 ft BMP AREA 10,892 sf
System Height = 1.7 ft Storage Provided* = 5,599 cf
Excavation Depth (System Height+ 6" base) = 2.2 ft
Number of Pipe Rows = 62

Materials Quantity Unit Unit Material Cost Total Material Cost

Disposal 901 CY $ 25.00 $ 22,525
8" HDPE Perforated Pipe 6138 LF $ 5.00 $ 30,690
Select Granular Fill - Drainage Stone 406 CY $ 32.00 $ 12,983
Filter Fabric - top and sides 1314 SY $ 1.50 $ 1,971
Manifold System Piping (8" HDPE) 221 LF $ 5.15 $ 1,138
Manifold System Tees (8" HDPE) 124 EA $ 114.00 $ 14,136
Equipment Rental Cost 28 days $ 700.00 $ 19,600
Total Material & Equipment Cost $ 103,044

Labor Time and Cost Quantity Unit Daily Fee per Crew Labor Estimate
Total Labor Estimate 28 days $ 1,430.00 $ 40,040

Additional Materials Quantity Unit Unit Material Cost Total Material Cost
DEP Standard Catch Basin - Inlet to system (includes exc., frame, grate, and 5 EA $ 2,500.00 $ 12,500
DEP Standard - Inlet to system (includes exc., frame, grate, and hood) 1 EA $ 2,500.00 $ 2,500
Piping to existing combined sewer (6" Cast iron) 30 LF $ 29.00 $ 870
Connect to existing combined sewer 1 EA $ 1,640.00 $ 1,640
Clean-out / overflow 1 EA $ 152.00 $ 152
Post-construction monitoring $ 1,725
Total Additional Materials Cost $ 19,387

Total Construction Cost for Perforated Pipe $ 162,471

Design, Post-Construction Monitoring, and Contingency (20% of total) $ 32,494

Total Cost for Perforated Pipe with Design, Post-construction Monitoring & Contingency $ 194,965
*
Capacity is based on capturing at least 5,580 cfs to achieve a release rate of 0.25 cfs for an acre property with a 0.9 runoff coefficient.
Green infrastructure sizing does not assume infiltration

141
141

APPENDIX
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The NYC Green Infrastructure Plan was developed by the Department of Environmental
Protection in collaboration with many City agencies who will continue to work together to
further develop and implement the plan.

Cas Holloway Commissioner

NYC Green Infrastructure Plan developers:

Carter Strickland, Jr. Deputy Commissioner for Sustainability
Angela Licata Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Environmental Planning and Analysis
Esther Siskind Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Environmental Planning and Analysis

NYC Green Infrastructure Plan contributors:

Kaled Alamarie John McLaughlin
Alan Cohn Erin Morey
Larry dela Cruz, Jr. James Mueller
Heather Donnelly Joseph Murin
Marcella Eckels William Plache
Magdi Farag Flavia Orlandi
Kathryn Garcia Stacy Radine
James Garin James Roberts
Amanda Goad Steve Sadoski
Christopher Hawkins Vincent Sapienza
Vlada Kenniff Thurlough Smyth
Aaron Koch Julie Stein
William Leo, HydroQual Margot Walker
Sergej Mahnovski Cesar Yoc
Keith Mahoney

City agency and other partners:

Department of Design and Construction
Department of Education
Department of Transportation
Department of Parks & Recreation
Law Department
Mayor’s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability
Metropolitan Transit Authority
New York City Housing Authority
Office of Management and Budget
This plan was printed on 100% post-consumer, Rolland Enviro100 Print paper.
Though intended for electronic distribution, the environmental savings of
printing limited copies on this paper instead of virgin paper are listed below:

TREES WATER CO2 EMISSIONS SOLID WASTE

6 3,314 gal 771 lb 351 lb