$42 Million Sewer Upgrade Completed to Keep Trash and Debris out of New York City Creek
New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Vincent Sapienza today announced the completion of a $42 million project to build four subsurface litter capture devices that will improve the health and aesthetics of Newtown Creek. The in-sewer control devices include fixed baffles and bending weirs to capture floating litter and direct it to a wastewater treatment plant where it can be removed and sent to landfill. DEP has installed similar facilities along the Bronx River and the Gowanus Canal over the last several years and they have captured more than 500 tons of litter and debris.
Much of the trash and debris found in New York Harbor, and its connected waterways, originates as litter discarded on city streets that subsequently gets washed into catch basins and eventually makes its way into the sewer system. To help keep litter from reaching Newtown Creek, in late 2015, DEP began the installation of the below-ground capture devices at four key locations within the sewer system that can discharge to the Creek or its tributaries.
“Cleaning up Newtown Creek is one of our top priorities and this $42 million investment will help to capture trash and debris and ensure that it does not foul the waterway,” said DEP Commissioner Sapienza. “As we continue to work to raise public awareness of the problems associated with litter, we look forward to partnering with elected officials, environmental groups and residents on many other projects that will further improve the health of Newtown Creek.”
The litter capture devices were constructed at the following locations:
- 47th Avenue between 28th and 29th Streets
- Rust Street and 56th Drive
- Troutman Street and Saint Nicholas Avenue
- 455 Johnson Avenue
In addition to the litter capture devices, the city’s 144,000 catch basins are designed to trap litter before it can make its way into the sewer lines. DEP also operates skimmer boats that patrol New York harbor to capture floating debris, including wood, plastic, metal, rubber, and glass.
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