Seven Miles of Porous Pavement Being Installed Along Brooklyn Roadways to Help Combat Flooding and Improve the Health of NY Harbor

July 15, 2024

Porous Pavement Allows Water to Drain Through it and be Absorbed Naturally into the Ground; Strategic Placement of Porous Pavement Will Keep 35 Million Gallons of Stormwater out of the Combined Sewer System Annually; Project also Helps to Protect the Health of New York Harbor; Photos, Videos and a Map are Available Here

New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala and Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Tom Foley today joined with Brooklyn elected officials to announce that work is underway to install seven miles of porous pavement along area roadways to help better manage stormwater and reduce flooding and sewer overflows. DDC is managing the $32.6 million contract for DEP and construction is anticipated to be completed in the fall of 2025.

"Climate change is bringing with it rainstorms that can overwhelm our sewers and cause flooding across the five boroughs, which is why we are investing in tools that will divert rainwater away from the sewer system, such as porous pavement," said NYC Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. "Brooklyn got hit particularly hard by Tropical Storm Ophelia last September and this new porous pavement will help to ease pressure on the sewer system and protect residents during future storms."

"We are delighted to work with our partners at DEP to bring seven miles of porous pavement to Brooklyn, and soon to other boroughs," said NYC Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Thomas Foley. "Porous pavement is only one way DDC is implementing green infrastructure across the city to combat the effects of climate change and reduce flooding in our communities. This is the biggest porous pavement installation this City has seen and it will prevent millions of gallons of stormwater from overwhelming the sewer system annually. With this DDC design, we will implement porous pavement panels in precise areas, allowing for the absorption of stormwater, before they overwhelm catch basins. It will also save time and money, since porous pavement installations can prevent flooding without the need of going underground and expanding sewers."

"Brooklyn will now see seven miles of porous roadways designed to alleviate flooding and protect our borough against extreme weather," said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. "Heavy rainfall and severe flooding events are increasingly common as the consequences of climate change unfold. Resilient infrastructure like porous roadways is essential to a future-ready borough, and I am so grateful to DEP and DDC for bringing this innovation to Brooklyn."

"It's great to see the City taking this innovative approach to reduce flooding," said Assembly Member Robert Carroll. "We need to use every tool available as we seek to fight climate change and mitigate its impact and I am proud to stand with DEP and DDC as they launch this important initiative."

"I am thrilled to see the installation of seven miles of porous pavement in Brooklyn. As a resident and representative of this vibrant borough, I know firsthand how critical it is to address flooding and protect the health of New York Harbor," said State Senator Iwen Chu. "This project is not just a significant step forward in our efforts to combat these issues, it is also an important investment in the safety and well-being of our communities. I commend the DEP and DDC for their leadership and commitment to building a more resilient New York City."

"Residents of South Brooklyn have long struggled with frequent flooding as our aging infrastructure has failed to keep up with our warming climate and growing population. I'm grateful DEP and DDC are taking serious steps to mitigate the devastating effects that flood waters have brought to our neighborhoods. I look forward to working with them in the coming years to build city infrastructure that meets the realities and on the ground experiences of its people," said City Council Member Alexa Avilés.

"We at Community Board 14 have been advocating for a variety of steps to resolve flooding concerns in our district," said Chairman of Community Board 14, Karl-Henry Cesar. "The installation of porous pavement along area roadways to help better manage stormwater and reduce flooding and sewer overflows is a welcome step in the right direction. We trust this is only the beginning."

Across the five boroughs, the roughly 7,500 miles of sewers and 150,000 catch basins remain the backbone of the city's drainage system. However, over the last decade DEP has built the nation's largest Green Infrastructure Program. Green Infrastructure intercepts stormwater before it can drain into the sewers, thereby preserving some capacity in the system and helping to prevent, or reduce, flooding, backups and overflows. Green Infrastructure includes porous pavement, curbside rain gardens, permeable pavers, green or blue roofs, and underground storage. To date DEP has built more than 13,000 Green Infrastructure installations, including more than 9,000 curbside rain gardens.

Unlike traditional asphalt paved roadways, porous pavement allows stormwater to pass through and be absorbed naturally into the ground. This means less stormwater drains into the sewer system, which will help to prevent flooding, sewer backups into homes and businesses, and overflows into waterways.

Porous pavement is installed along the curb line of a street, where the stormwater typically drains towards a catch basin on the corner, and can withstand the weight of motor vehicles, including trucks. DEP has piloted the use of several different types of porous pavement for a number of years in different boroughs, but this is the first large-scale implementation. Porous pavement cannot be installed on every block due to other conflicts in the streets and sidewalks, such as sewer and water mains, and private infrastructure.

Prior to any construction, soil samples are taken from beneath the roadways that are under consideration to determine if the soil will absorb stormwater. Once a roadway is approved for construction, the work includes removal of the existing roadway along the curb line to a depth of roughly 24 inches. Drainage cells and stone are added to aid in storage and drainage of the stormwater, as well as to provide structural support for the porous concrete slabs that are laid on top.

Later this year, contracts are expected to get under way to bring porous pavement to other Brooklyn neighborhoods, as well as to communities in the Bronx. Additional contracts are currently in planning for neighborhoods in Queens.

About the Department of Environmental Protection

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. DEP has a robust capital program, with a planned $29 billion in investments over the next 10 years. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter.

About the NYC Department of Design and Construction

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 $28 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.

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