July 21, 2022

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

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced the completion of a $1.3 million project to install a new storm sewer and catch basins along a portion of Mapleton 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. Work was modeled after the recently completed storm sewer and catch basin system installed along a portion of nearby Grimsby Street.

“This project on Mapleton, when combined with recently completed work on Grimsby, has brought significant relief to the residents of Midland Beach by increasing drainage capacity and alleviating roadway flooding and standing water,” said DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “DEP will continue to make infrastructure investments to improve the quality of life in Mid-Island neighborhoods, including the ongoing expansion of the New Creek Bluebelt.”

“We are pleased that DEP took into consideration our request to extend the Lake Grimsby project down Mapleton Avenue,” said Councilman David Carr. “This addition will benefit the Midland Beach community by improving drainage and alleviating street flooding, while we await the completion of the capital project that will provide a long-term solution.”

“This installation of two dozen new catch basins will provide relief for homeowners who are too often affected by the flooding along Grimsby Street and Mapleton Avenue,” said Staten Island Borough President Vito J. Fossella. “We are grateful to the DEP for their willingness to keep their ears and minds open as we continue to collaboratively address the concerns of Staten Islanders when it comes to flooding. We want to thank Councilmember Carr and Assemblymember Tannousis for their consistent advocacy in improving the borough.”

“I’m glad to see this infrastructure project coming to fruition. Midland Beach residents have long suffered from flooding issues and these catch basins will help tremendously,” said Assemblyman Tannousis. “These projects will deliver a better quality of life for our constituents. My colleagues and I will continue to work alongside DEP and others to alleviate flooding conditions and ensure completion of the capital project.”

Construction included the installation of approximately 1,180 linear feet of new 12-inch storm drain along Mapleton Avenue, beginning at the intersection of Grimsby Street and continuing on toward Baden Place. Additionally, the work installed eight new catch basins and converted 20 existing seepage basins into catch basins, all of which are now connected to the new storm drain. Prior to the start of construction, DEP spoke with 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 recently completed storm sewer and catch basin system installed along a portion of Grimsby Street in Midland Beach, which subsequently ties into the completed $25 million first phase of the New Creek Bluebelt. That Bluebelt encompasses 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. 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 more than 9 million residents, including 8.3 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 has a robust capital program, with a planned $20.1 billion in investments over the next 10 years that will create up to 3,000 construction-related jobs per year. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.