Work has been completed on an expedited storm sewer extension project to help relieve flooding in Rosedale, Queens, in addition to an investment of $2.5 million in new catch basins and sewer extensions throughout southeast Queens. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) participated in the 15th annual Open House NY (OHNY) weekend, offering public tours of the digester eggs at the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. Seasonal flu vaccinations are offered to all New York City Employees; this year, four dates are planned for DEP sites at Lefrak, Valhalla, and the Wards Island Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The Always Creating Excellence (ACE) program recognizes New York City Department of Environmental Protection staff members that have exhibited outstanding effort, and have gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve the people of New York City.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) partnered with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to sponsor public high students in the A Day in the Life of the Hudson & Harbor event. DEP and the City College of New York (CCNY) have completed a water conservation project which will realize a savings of nearly 11 million gallons of water a year. Students from the Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning High School on Staten Island participated in a clean-up event at the Wolfe's Pond Bluebelt in the Prince's Bay neighborhood.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) hosted its fourth annual Reservoir Cleanup Day, with a record 418 volunteers participating. A team from the Bureau of Wastewater Treatment (BWT) won second place at the National Operations Challenge at the Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) in Chicago. A newly reconstructed playground with green infrastructure elements, one of the first in Manhattan under the Community Parks Initiative (CPI), has been opened on the Lower East Side. Staff from BWT and the Bureau of Public Affairs and Communications (BPAC) recently hosted several community organizations on an informational tour of the Hunts Point Wastewater Treatment Plant.