April 29, 2022

Newly added storm sewer and catch basins help to alleviate localized street flooding on Grimsby Avenue; Sewers drain to the nearby New Creek Bluebelt;

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced the completion of a new storm sewer and catch basin installation along a portion of Grimsby Avenue in Midland Beach, Staten Island. The infrastructure upgrade improves drainage in the community and helps to alleviate localized street flooding conditions ahead of a more permanent capital project currently in design for the neighborhood. The project cost $371,000, took four weeks to complete and utilizes the nearby outlet constructed under the $25 million first phase of the New Creek Bluebelt.

A map and photos are available on DEP’s Flickr page

“This storm sewer drain has increased the local drainage system’s capacity and helped to reduce roadway flooding and any standing water, which will surely bring some relief to residents,” said DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “In the coming years we will continue to expand the New Creek Bluebelt, extend sewers to more nearby streets and provide similar flooding relief.”

“For years, my predecessor and I have been working with DEP on ways to address the chronic flooding in this community, while we await the completion of the capital project that will provide a long-term solution. This recently installed sewer drain and catch basin system, which connects to the nearby Bluebelt, was one of the fixes we discussed, and I am so pleased to finally see it come to fruition. I am very optimistic this measure will significantly alleviate the flooding problem and perhaps turn Lake Grimsby into just an occasional puddle,” said Council Member David Carr.

“I’m ecstatic about the completion of the new storm sewer drain and catch basin installation in Midland Beach. Whether it’s Hurricane Ida or any other storm that hits our areas, my constituents continue to be plagued by flooding conditions. I’m hopeful that this infrastructure upgrade will help alleviate flooding until the capital project is completed,” said Assembly Member Michael Tannousis.

“With vision and determination, real solutions become a reality. I join the Midland Beach community in applauding DEP for directing the resources needed to address the persistent ‘Lake Grimbsy’ flooding,” said State Senator Andrew Lanza.

Construction included the installation of approximately 711 linear feet of new 12-inch storm drain along Grimsby Avenue, beginning at the intersection of Mapleton Avenue and continuing on toward Hunter Avenue, where it then traveled along Hunter before tying into a New Creek Bluebelt outlet at the intersection of Nugent Avenue. Additionally, the work installed five catch basins (four on Grimsby and one of Hunter) and connected them to the new storm drain. Workers also installed a backflow device to prevent water from coming back onto the street during a high tide event. Prior to the start of construction, DEP reached out to elected officials and residents of the impacted area to discuss the benefits that the new infrastructure will bring to the neighborhood.

The drainage upgrade connects to the completed $25 million first phase of the New Creek Bluebelt, which constructed two new wetlands along with a new, west branch of New Creek. This includes a new 4.7-acre freshwater wetland between Nugent Avenue and Freeborn Street, and another .7-acre freshwater wetland between Freeborn Street and Olympia Boulevard. These wetlands slow the stormwater down after it empties from the sewer system and detains it, allowing it to be naturally filtered. The water then slowly flows over weirs and into the new west branch of New Creek. Culverts have been built to allow the stream to pass under existing streets before the system eventually empties into lower New York Harbor.

Additionally, DEP is continuing construction on its $75 million expansion of the Bluebelt program in the Mid-Island. The work includes two projects which are funded by DEP and DOT and managed by DDC. The $33 million “Gateway to the Bluebelt” project will create a public viewing area and introduction to the rehabilitated New Creek wetlands. This project received a $4.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program. The $42 million expansion of the New Creek Bluebelt, which will create the largest wetland area in the entire Bluebelt system, received an $11.1 million Hurricane Sandy recovery grant secured by U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer. The award-winning Bluebelt program preserves natural drainage corridors such as streams, creeks, and ponds, and optimizes them to help control and filter stormwater from surrounding neighborhoods.

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.