The Department of Environmental Protection's Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Executive Budget was presented on May 9. This budget also outlines the Four-Year Capital Plan, which includes major projects such as the ongoing construction of City Tunnel 3 and reconstruction of the mechanical elements of the lower Catskill Aqueduct, as well as ongoing investments in wastewater treatment, sewers, and drinking water supply. The DEP will host an educational walk in Westchester County on May 15 to celebrate American Wetlands Month.
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.
New York City will end rental payments from the New York City Water Board, for an estimated 7 percent in savings for each customer on water and sewer bills through fiscal year 2017. In addition, a one-time $183 credit is being distributed to about 664,000 customers. Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Emily Lloyd and Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams announce the launch of the Adopt-A-Catch Basin pilot program, which will involve local communities in helping to keep storm drains clear of debris.
The Department of Environmental Protection has been distributing rain barrels to community homeowners in partnership with local elected officials. Water collected in these 60-gallon barrels can be used for gardening and other outdoor purposes and thereby reduce personal water bills. The Gilboa Dam rehabilitation project received a major award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York. The DEP announces that it will begin applying natural herbicides along roads in upstate watersheds.
The Department of Environmental Protection proposes a 2.1% increase in the Fiscal Year 2017 water rate, which is the lowest figure in the past 16 years. Twenty-two reservoirs and lakes were opened for this year's watershed recreation season on April 1. A $48 million water and sewer upgrade project in the Great Kills and Eltingville neighborhoods of Staten Island is currently underway.
The Filtration Avoidance Determination, which allows the Catskill-Delaware system of New York City's water supply to operate unfiltered, is to be renewed this year. This permit is required by the Surface Water Treatment Rule of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. A New York Times article titled How New York Gets its Water examines the methods and infrastructure of the City's water supply system.
A three-year climate and stormwater management collaboration program with the City of Copenhagen has begun with a series of tours in Brooklyn and Queens. A sewer upgrade project has been presented to Bronx Community Board 11, which is designed to intercept 400 million gallons of annual pollution that would otherwise discharge into Westchester Creek. Approximately 80 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions have been avoided by the Department of Environmental Protection's participation in the New York City Demand Response Program.
The Department of Environmental Protection has published its annual Watershed Recreation Newsletter for the benefit of watershed residents and visitors. The Bureau of Public Affars & Communications has contacted 25,000 homes in southeast Queens to educate about improper grease disposal. DEP staff also performed a citywide affort to educate New Yorkers about water leaks and the means to repair them.
Despite the lack of snow in upstate watersheds, winter rains have ensured full reservoir levels. Furthermore, there is little historical connection between low snow levels and drought conditions. Rain barrels were distributed to about 200 homeowners in the Castle Hill neighborhood of the Bronx. Staff from the Bureau of Water Supply offered information and access permit registrations at the 39th Annual World Fishing & Outdoor Expo at Rockland County Community College.
The Department of Environmental Protection has published its 2015 Drinking Water Supply and Quality Report in accordance with New York State and United States Environmental Protection Agency regulations. Three New York City hospitals have joined a program to reduce water consumption by 5 percent per month, for a planned reduction of 2.2 million gallons over the same period. NY1 news published a story on the $3 million odor control project being installed at the Bowery Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant.
This report describes the association between disease rates and area-based poverty for 38 infectious diseases reported to the NYC Health Department between 2006 and 2013.
More than 100 positions are on offer in the Department of Environmental Protection's 2016 summer internship program. DEP will also participate in the New York City Summer Youth Employment and Ladders for Leaders programs. Expanded storm sewers in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn are to be installed this spring, in cooperation with the Department of Design and Construction. DEP will clean and repair headstones at the Pepacton Cemetery in Delaware County.
Eight veteran officers in the Department of Environmental Protection Police Division have been promoted and one 21-year veteran has retired. Aluminum covers and odor control units are being installed at the Bowery Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant. Mayor de Blasio and the Metropolitan Engineering Societies Council create an annual Engineer's Week in New York City, which will run this year from February 21-27.
This report summarizes data collected from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) survey on smoking before, during, and after pregnancy and includes resources for medical providers to provide support and counseling to help pregnancy and postpartum patients quit.
New York City's drinking water supply is thoroughly tested from its sources to the city delivery system. Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Emily Lloyd details these and other protective measures undertaken to ensure water quality, and welcomes city residents to obtain free home testing kits from 311. The DEP Emerging Leaders Network Mixer will be held at the Rego Community Center. Essay in memoriam of former Deputy Chief Engineer Victor Felgelman, P.E., of the Board of Water Supply.
All 5,300 buildings in New York City that had previously used No. 6 heating oil have converted to cleaner fuel sources, leading to significant reductions in air pollution citywide. The Department of Environmental Protection has been performing inspections and repairs on water mains and sewers in Lower Manhattan following a recent crane collapse. A micro-tunnel boring machine (MTBM) has arrived at Schoharie Reservoir for use in constructing a permanent release works near the Gilboa Dam.
The total acreage of publically accessible New York City-owned watershed lands has risen to over 130,000, following the addition of 2,800 acres in 2015. A $33 million sewer upgrade project in northern Queens, which will begin this spring, is projected to divert 225 million gallons of wastewater per year from Bowery and Flushing Bays. Repairs have been completed to four box culverts in the Cannonsville Reservoir watershed.
Department of Environmental Protection employees worked to ensure critical services remained operational throughout Winter Storm Jonas, which caused more than 30 inches of snowfall in sections of New York City. Activities included regular water testing, repairs and service on water mains, and snow clearance. The 2015 New York City Water Challenge to Restaurants program succeeded in reducing water use by 2.5 million gallons.
The Employee of the Month program recognizes Department of Environmental Protection staff members that have exhibited outstanding personal effort, and have gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve the people of New York City.