July 30, 2026

New pumping system uses 20 percent less electricity, improves reliability, and helps protect New York City’s waterways and beaches

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced the completion of a $155 million modernization of the Coney Island Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility in southern Brooklyn. The project replaced the main sewage pumping system, which moves up to 220 million gallons of wastewater through the treatment process each day.

The new system is more reliable and energy efficient, using 20 percent less electricity, thereby reducing operating costs and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The emissions reduction is equivalent to removing 109 gas-powered passenger vehicles from the road. Construction was completed over five years without interrupting operations, ensuring the facility continued to serve nearly 600,000 New Yorkers throughout the project.

“The Coney Island Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility paved the way for cleaner water and beaches across the city and this $155 million investment at the City’s very first treatment plant honors its legacy as the starting point of modern wastewater treatment in New York,” said DEP Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia. “These upgrades ensure the facility continues to protect the area’s waterways and coastline in a more sustainable, efficient and cost-effective way.”

The project modernized the main sewage pumping system, which had been in continuous service for more than 30 years. DEP replaced the pumps and upgraded the mechanical, electrical, ventilation, and control components, ensuring dependable, energy-efficient performance for decades to come.

The Coney Island Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility serves nearly 600,000 New Yorkers across a 15,000-acre area in southern and central Brooklyn. On a typical day, the facility treats about 110 million gallons of wastewater. During storms, when rainwater also enters the sewer system, the facility can process up to 220 million gallons per day.

The facility has played an important role in protecting New York City’s waterways for nearly 140 years. The city’s first wastewater treatment plant opened there in 1886 to improve water quality at the area’s popular bathing beaches. As technology and environmental standards have advanced, the facility has continued to evolve to better protect public health and the environment.

Today, DEP treats 1.3 billion gallons of wastewater every day at 14 wastewater resource recovery facilities. Wastewater from homes, schools, businesses, and factories flows through the city’s sewer system to these facilities, where it undergoes treatment that removes pollutants before clean water is safely returned to local waterways. During treatment, DEP also recovers energy and other valuable resources that help make the system more sustainable.

About NYC Department of Environmental Protection

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.3 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 also protects the health and safety of New Yorkers by enforcing the Air and Noise Codes and asbestos rules. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X and Instagram.