The current sewer system combines stormwater and wastewater in one system. During heavy storms, the system often reaches capacity and must discharge a mix of stormwater and wastewater into New York Harbor.

If the overflows were not discharged, the City’s 14 wastewater treatment plants could be comprised and unable to treat wastewater. The new plan will replace the existing approach for sewer overflow control, which relies solely on traditional investments like holding tanks and tunnels, with a mix of green infrastructure and cost-effective traditional infrastructure that will reduce sewer overflows into waterways by 40 percent by 2030 by capturing more stormwater.

The plan will reduce the City’s long-term sewer management costs by $2.4 billion over the next 20 years, helping to hold down future water bills.

www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/stormwater/nyc_green_infrastructure_plan.shtml
www.nyc.gov Press release