April 1, 2022

New sewers and catch basins will increase drainage capacity and help to better manage stormwater.

The New York City Departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Design and Construction (DDC) today announced that work is underway on a $6.9 million drainage upgrade in the Westerleigh neighborhood of Staten Island. The project will include the installation of new storm sewers and catch basins, as well as the replacement of water mains, sanitary sewers and fire hydrants. DEP provided the funding for the project while DDC is managing the construction, which began in January and is anticipated to be completed by winter 2023.

A map of the project area is available on DEP’s Flickr page

“Shovels are in the ground in Westerleigh and that means we are one step closer to an upgraded drainage system for the residents and businesses in the area,” said DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “This $7 million investment will greatly improve the quality of life in the neighborhood, and I want to thank our partners at DDC for managing this important work.”

“This project will bring a new peace of mind to residents who’ve dealt with long-time flooding and ponding in the area,” said DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley. “The neighborhood will receive 1,500 feet of new storm sewers, rebuilt and regraded streets along with new curbs and catch basins to capture stormwater when it rains. We are pleased to work with our partners at DEP to bring new infrastructure that will improve the quality of life for the residents and business owners of Westerleigh.”

“This upgrade for the Westerleigh neighborhood will provide relief to residents who need adequate street drainage in order to feel safe during a major storm,” said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella. “This area, like many on Staten Island, has historically seen the impact of flooding which damages properties and lives. I want to thank DEP Commissioner Aggarwala and DDC Commissioner Foley for their efforts to install new storm sewers and catch basins that will help protect this community.”

“Hurricane Ida served as a stark reminder that we must continue to invest in and improve our city’s sewer infrastructure to prevent future flooding,” Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis said. “This construction will increase the quality of life for Westerleigh residents and businesses and provide them with a sense of security the next time our city experiences heavy rain. As a strong and consistent advocate for modernizing New York City’s infrastructure to keep pace with development and growth, I’m happy to work with the city to ensure more investments like this are made.”

“I commend the city administration for moving forward with this essential plan that will bring much needed resolve and peace of mind to residents located in the Westerleigh community. I want to also thank my team for diligently working with DEP and DDC on this very issue and I look forward to working with both government entities to address and rectify similar infrastructure issues in other areas of the North Shore of Staten Island,” said Assembly Member Charles D. Fall.

“I applaud DEP and DDC for coordinating the launch of this much needed drainage upgrade and water main replacement project. I will continue to work with them to bring long overdue improvements to our water and flood mitigation infrastructure,” said State Senator Andrew Lanza.

“Westerleigh residents are all too familiar with the consequences of inadequate or failing infrastructure, so the start of this new sewer project will certainly be welcome news. Just as my predecessors before me, I am committed to working with the DEP and DDC to continue upgrading and investing in our district’s water management systems to protect our families, our homes and our precious natural resources,” said Council Member David Carr.

“Every single time a rainstorm passes through Staten Island our streets can flood and we have been in desperate need of an infrastructure upgrade,” said Council Member Kamillah Hanks. “I commend DEP and DDC for undertaking this critical project for my constituents in Westerleigh.”

Work will take place on 14 individual blocks including along Forest Avenue from Crystal Avenue to Barrett Avenue and North Avenue from Livermore Avenue to the dead end, as well as portions of Livermore Avenue, Dickie Avenue, Bidwell Avenue, Neal Dow Avenue and Lockwood Place. As part of the project, 1,500 linear feet of new storm sewers will be added to the neighborhood to alleviate flooding. To better capture stormwater and direct it to the new drainage system, 12 new catch basins will be installed and eight old ones will be replaced.

Complementing the drainage upgrade are improvements to the drinking water distribution system. More than 3,500 linear feet of new water mains made from concrete-lined ductile iron, which is more resilient and less prone to breakage, will be installed to replace older cast iron pipes. Fire protection will be enhanced with the replacement of 12 old fire hydrants and the addition of one new fire hydrant, ensuring firefighters have ready access to the City’s water supply during emergencies. In addition, 1,100 linear feet of new sanitary sewers will be replaced.

As part of the final street restoration, 80,000 square feet of roadway, 2,000 square feet of sidewalk and 400 linear feet of curbs will be reconstructed. The roadway, curbs and sidewalks will be graded to help guide stormwater to the area’s new catch basins and ensure adequate street drainage during storms. Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be improved with the installation of five new pedestrian ramps and replacement of seven old ones.

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.8 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP also protects the health and safety of New Yorkers by enforcing the Air and Noise Codes and asbestos rules. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor Adams’ long-term vision of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $15.5 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to City projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.