The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is developing a strategic plan and has appointed Diana Jones Ritter in the new role of Chief Strategy Officer. DEP donated a fossil from the oldest fossilized forest in the world to the Bilboa-Conesville Central School. The Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant will once again be opened February 10th to the public for special Valentine's Day tours. Earlier this month, DEP hosted 9th and 11th grade AP Environmental Science students from George Westinghouse High School in Brooklyn at the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant for a field trip.
On the 25th anniversary of the Filtration Avoidance Determination for New York City's water supply, the New York Times publishes a piece on the system and the agreement. Entries for the 32nd annual Water Resources Art and Poetry Contest are now being accepted. New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Deputy Commissioner Pam Elardo sat down with actor Alec Baldwin on his WNYC podcast, "Here's the Thing," to discuss the city's wastewater treatment system. Mayor Bill de Blasio signed legislation into law aimed at reducing overnight and weekend construction noise. DEP police officers conducted ice rescue training during recent simulation exercises held at the Ashokan Reservoir.
New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Vincent Sapienza reviews several of the agency's accomplishments from the past year, including the Delaware Aqueduct Bypass Tunnel project and green infrastructure enhancements. Drilling has commenced on the tunnel section of the Delaware Aqueduct Bypass Tunnel. Shotcrete, a unique form of concrete, is applied to rock excavations such as the shafts of the Delaware Aqueduct Bypass Tunnel to prevent rock from falling off the walls and potentially striking workers.
Personnel from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) worked to ensure that critical services operated without significant interruptions during the recent historic cold spell. A team from the Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations helped to administer humanitarian aid in Puerto Rico following damage caused by Hurricane Maria. 2017 figures for water supply and analysis from the City's watersheds are summarized.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has received a ten year waiver from the New York State Department of Health (DOH), known as a Filtration Avoidance Determination (FAD), which will allow the city to continue delivering unfiltered drinking water from its Catskill and Delaware water supply systems. These systems comprise the largest unfiltered water supply in the United States, delivering about 90 percent of New York City's water on a typical day. DEP employees generously donated toys for needy children during this year's holiday season. This year's DEP holiday party was held on December 20th at Russo's on the Bay in Howard Beach, Queens.