FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 17-64
July 20, 2017
deppressoffice@dep.nyc.gov, (718) 595-6600

New Catch Basins and Sewer Extensions to Improve Drainage in Southeast Queens

Newly Added Infrastructure Will Help Alleviate Localized Street Flooding

Projects are Part of Administration’s $1.7 Billion Commitment to Improve Drainage in Southeast Queens

Construction Photos are Available on DEP’s Flickr Page

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced the completion of several construction projects that included the installation of new catch basins and sewer extensions throughout the southeast Queens neighborhoods of St. Albans, Jamaica, South Jamaica, Laurelton and Rosedale. The $2.5 million investment will improve drainage in these communities while also helping to alleviate localized street flooding.

“The installation of these catch basins and sewers in various southeast Queens neighborhoods will improve drainage during heavy rainstorms, which will subsequently reduce localized street flooding and bring some peace of mind to residents,” said DEP Acting Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “This work is part of Mayor de Blasio’s $1.7 billion commitment to build infrastructure in Southeast Queens that will improve the quality of life for residents and businesses.”

“Flooding has persistently plagued southeast Queens’ neighborhoods for decades, damaging properties, financially burdening homeowners and at times posing a significant threat to personal safety. Queens families had long called for sewer extensions and additional catch basins to help alleviate localized street flooding,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. Thanks to the City’s direct investment, the infrastructure upgrades will improve the quality of life for Queens families as we work toward a longer-term solution.”

“I appreciate the New York City Department of Environmental Protection taking steps to improve the resiliency of our neighborhoods,” said Congressman Gregory W. Meeks. “I would like to thank Mayor de Blasio for reaching out and I am eager to continue devising and implementing solutions to alleviate flooding in Queens and New York City.”

“I commend NYC DEP for their tremendous efforts to alleviate chronic flooding conditions in Southeast Queens,” said State Senator Leroy Comrie. “I will continue to work alongside Mayor de Blasio, Council Members Richards and Miller, and Acting Commissioner Sapienza to ensure that residents of the 14^th Senate District see improvements to our flooding infrastructure.”

“The Southeast Queens community has suffered from persistent flooding issues for decades. The rising rainwater has caused damage to homes and turned streets into lakes, becoming hazards for pedestrians and motorists alike,” said State Senator James Sanders, Jr. “The infrastructure upgrades from the DEP are long overdue. I am optimistic that they will help ease some of the flooding-related problems. However, these will be the first of many steps before we arrive at a more complete solution.”

“We are thrilled that the City is investing in our local infrastructure to improve our drainage system that will better manage storm water. The new expansion of sewers and catch basins throughout our communities will hopefully mitigate the issue of street flooding,” said Assemblyman Clyde Vanel.

“For years, every rainstorm has brought a perpetual nightmare of flooded homes, street ponding, and sewage backups to Southeast Queens,” said Council Member I. Daneek Miller. “The catch basins that have recently been installed are a step in the right direction to mitigate this problem, and combined with the rest of the capital projects we know are coming will help relieve residents of the stress that comes every time it rains in our community. I would like to thank Acting Commissioner Vincent Sapienza and the rest of his team at DEP for working with my office in taking these critical steps forward.”

“This new investment in sewer extensions and catch basins is another step towards ending the systemic flooding residents of Southeast Queens have been forced to accept for decades,” said Council Member Donovan Richards. “While Mayor de Blasio and the DEP move forward with their plan to build out sewer infrastructure, additional investments like this will help alleviate the struggles homeowners face every time it rains. I'd like to thank the Mayor and Commissioner Sapienza for their commitment to solving the most serious issue for many Southeast Queens homeowners.”

The projects included the following work:

• In St. Albans, 10 new catch basins and more than 800 linear feet of storm sewers were installed along portions of Nashville Boulevard and Grayson Street. Additionally, an existing seepage catch basin was connected to the storm sewer to allow for improved drainage. Upgrades were also made to the sanitary sewers and water mains.
• Also in St. Albans, 2 new catch basins and more than 50 linear feet of storm sewers were installed along 201^st Street, between 115^th Avenue and 116^th Avenue.
• In South Jamaica, 7 new catch basins and more than 1,100 linear feet of storm sewers were installed along portions of 115th Avenue, 157^th Street, 177^th Street, 112^th Avenue, 176^th Street and 111^th Avenue. Additionally, 18 existing seepage catch basins were connected to storm sewers to allow for improved drainage. There were also four catch basins at the intersection of 111^th Avenue and 155^th Street that were modified and reset lower than street grade, allowing them to capture more stormwater. Upgrades were also made to the sanitary sewers and water mains.
• In Laurelton, eight existing catch basins at the intersection of 224^th St and 145^th Road were modified and reset lower than street grade, allowing them to capture more stormwater.
• In Rosedale, 8 new catch basins and almost 500 linear feet of storm sewers were installed along North Conduit Avenue, between Brookville Boulevard and Francis Lewis Boulevard.
• In Jamaica, 3 new catch basins and 30 linear feet of storm sewers were installed along Irwin Place, between Leslie Road and Troutville Road. Additionally, upgrades were made to the sanitary sewers and water mains.

These projects are part of Mayor de Blasio’s commitment of $1.7 billion to address flooding in southeast Queens. The bulk of the funding will go towards the construction of large trunk sewer spines along 150^th Street, Guy Brewer Boulevard, Farmers Boulevard and Springfield Boulevard. This work will take place through at least 18 separate projects, the first breaking ground as early as later this year. Dozens of smaller local sewer projects, such as Hook Creek Boulevard and 119^th Avenue, will connect neighborhoods to the trunk sewer spines.

In addition to traditional gray infrastructure projects like these, an estimated 200 curbside rain gardens will be constructed in and around Cambria Heights and Queens Village to intercept stormwater before it ever enters the sewer system. Other improvements for southeast Queens include green infrastructure components at three City parks, two public schools, and one NYCHA facility. Bluebelts are also being constructed to help manage stormwater at Springfield Lake, Baisley Pond, Twin Ponds and Brookville Triangle.

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high quality drinking water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8.5 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP has nearly 6,000 employees, including almost 1,000 in the upstate watershed. In addition, DEP has a robust capital program, with a planned $20.7 billion in investments over the next 10 years that will create up to 3,000 construction-related jobs per year. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.