[an error occurred while processing the directive] [an error occurred while processing the directive]
[an error occurred while processing the directive]

thumbnail
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 13-24

March 7, 2013

CONTACT:

Chris Gilbride/ Ted Timbers (DEP) (718) 595-6600
Joe Soldevere/ Craig Chin (DDC) (718) 391-1641

City Completes Extension of Sewer System and Builds Out Bluebelt in Annandale Section of Staten Island

$15.6 Million Project will help Control Street Flooding and Improve Tap Water Distribution

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Carter Strickland and Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner David Burney today announced the completion of a $15.6 million project that extended the city’s sewer system to 136 homes in the Annandale area of Staten Island.  The work also included the installation of new water mains to ensure the delivery of high quality tap water to the neighborhood as well as the continued build-out of the award winning Bluebelt system that controls stormwater and reduces street flooding.  The project, which began in October 2010 and was just recently completed, was funded by DEP and managed by DDC.

“The completion of this project will improve the quality of life for the residents of Annandale and increase the value of their homes,” said DEP Commissioner Strickland.  “With $848 million in similar investments planned for the borough over the next ten years we will help ensure that Staten Island remains a desirable place to live and raise a family.”

“Connecting 136 homes to the sewer system and diverting storm runoff to the area’s bluebelt system -for which we installed nearly 3 ½ miles of water mains and sewer lines- will make life easier for Annandale residents and help control flooding during periods of heavy rain,” said Department of Design and Construction Commissioner David J. Burney.  “These infrastructure improvements represent a significant City investment in the community and will benefit Staten Island for decades to come.”

“The South Shore of Staten Island continues to be the epicenter for Bluebelt and sewer installations in the city with hundreds of millions of dollars under construction and in design,” said Council Member Vincent Ignizio.  “This project will help the homeowners in Annandale connect to the city sewer and remove flooding conditions in our community.  With many projects to begin this year, we have a lot more to look forward to and I am grateful for the DEP and DDC partnership that makes sure these projects come to fruition.”

Prior to this project the Annandale section of Staten Island did not have a sewer system and street flooding was a common problem when it rained.  With the addition of 1.4 miles of sanitary sewers 136 homes will now be able to connect to the city sewer system.  The 4,600 feet of new storm sewers and 68 catch basins will help mitigate street flooding and the 1.2 miles of new water mains will improve the distribution of tap water and help minimize disruption to consumers during any future water main work and service shutdowns in the area.  The work also included the installation of 23 fire hydrants, 83 manholes, 3,200 linear feet of concrete curb, 8,073 square feet of concrete sidewalk with pedestrian ramps, 32,824 square yards of asphalt roadway and 302 trees.

The new catch basins will divert stormwater directly to a Bluebelt where it will be stored and naturally filtered.  In order to accommodate and slow this water down so it can be properly filtered, the project included the restoration of 500 linear feet of stream channels, the installation of larger culverts along Grantwood Avenue, and the grading and stabilization of an adjacent floodplain with native plants.  The new channel and floodplain will temporarily retain the stormwater during heavy rain, and combined with the culvert, reduce downstream street flooding.  

The Bluebelt program preserves and optimizes natural drainage corridors including streams, ponds, and lakes.  Stormwater is directed to the wetlands where it is stored and naturally filtered.  In addition, the Bluebelts provide important open spaces and diverse wildlife habitats. Over the last ten years DEP has built Bluebelts for approximately one third of Staten Island’s land area.  In the South Richmond and mid-Island areas, the City has purchased approximately 400 acres of wetland property for Bluebelts that provide drainage for 19 watersheds, covering about 14,000 acres.  Expanding the use of Bluebelts to reduce flooding and improve the water quality of New York Harbor is one of the operational goals outlined in Strategy 2011-2014, a far-reaching strategic plan that lays out 100 distinct initiatives to make DEP the safest, most efficient, cost-effective, and transparent water utility in the nation. The plan is available on DEP's website at nyc.gov/dep.

The project extended the city’s sewer system to Annandale Road between Arden Avenue and Wolcott Avenue; Carlton Boulevard between Drumgoole Road East and Arden Avenue; Ionia Avenue between Arden Avenue and Grantwood Avenue; Edgegrove Avenue between Carlton Boulevard and Grantwood Avenue; Detroit Avenue between Arden Avenue and Grantwood Avenue; Grantwood Avenue between Annadale Road and Drumgoole Road East; Arden Avenue between Annadale Road and Ionia Avenue; and the intersection of Genesee Avenue and Richmond Avenue.  

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing more than one billion gallons of water each day to more than nine million residents, including eight 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 $14.4 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 at facebook.com/nycwater, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/nycwater.

 

[an error occurred while processing the directive]
 [an error occurred while processing the directive]
[an error occurred while processing the directive]