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$3.8 Billion Deal Means A Lot Less Poop In NYC Waterways
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Mar 14, 2012
Modified Mar 14, 2012
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Jen Chung/Gothamist
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Mar 14, 2012
Modified Mar 14, 2012
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A $3.8 billion agreement between the city and the Department of Environmental Conservation will invest in green infrastructure and improve existing facilities and prevent sewage runoff from entering the city's waterways. "This is the first time it is legally locked in for the city to make significant investments in green investment. That distinguishes New York from everywhere else in the country," a senior lawyer for the Natural Resources Defense Council told DNAinfo. This means (hopefully) kayaking without threat of disease.
More than 30 billion gallons of untreated sewage enters the city's waterway each year, but the issue that came to the fore last summer when a four-alarm fire hit the North River treatment center. Raw sewage streamed into the Hudson until the DEP, in dramatic fashion, stopped the discharge. This new agreement will remove 1.5 billion gallons of sewage each year until 2030, and stiff fines will be in place if the city does not meet the goals stipulated by the plan.
This is excellent news, but can we finally get serious about that sweet filter-pool that will make it safe to jump into the East River? Swimming season is upon us!
Tagged
dep
east river
environment
hudson river
pollution
sewage
sewage treatment
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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