NEW YORK, NY, June 3, 2010 -- Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway today announced the completion of a project that will connect 107 homeowners in the Tottenville section of Staten Island to the City's sewer system. Approximately 6,600 feet of new sanitary sewers and 3,389 feet of new storm sewers will help ease flooding and eliminate septic tank backups in the community. The $11.4 million project -- funded by DEP and managed by DDC -- also included the replacement of 6,837 feet of water distribution mains, curbs, sidewalks, and a street repaving.
"Maintaining and improving New York City's 14,000 miles of water and sewer mains is critical work that happens block by block, and neighborhood by neighborhood," said Commissioner Holloway. "Because of this project, these homeowners will now be hooked into the City's sewer system, eliminating the risk of failing septic systems. We also expect that flooding will ease in the area. Mayor Bloomberg has made water and sewer infrastructure a priority, and local investments like this strengthen the entire network while immediately improving the quality of life of the residents of Tottenville, who are its immediate beneficiaries."
"With the completion of the Nashville Street infrastructure project, more than 100 homes will be spared the indecency of septic tank backups and the community will be better protected from unmanageable floods in future storms," said State Senator Andrew Lanza. "I would like to thank DEP and Commissioner Holloway for their help in completing this project."
"I am glad to be a part of this project along with DEP and DDC. Some of the residents in this area have waited for sewers since the 1960s, and this project was a godsend for those continuing to be on septic systems," said Council Member Vincent Ignizio. "I look forward to continuing to work with my Commissioner Holloway and the DEP staff on hooking up the rest of the South Shore."
The project will connect 107 homes that had septic tanks instead of a way to convey sewage to the nearest wastewater treatment plant. Flow from the new sewers will be pumped by the Richmond Avenue Pumping Station to the Oakwood Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project started in January 2008.
Starting on May 27, DEP began sending letters to individual homeowners in the project area who are required to hire a Licensed Master Plumber to connect their homes to the new sewers within six months of notification. Plumbers can apply for a house connection permit at a DEP Staten Island local office for approval and DEP will work with applicants about connecting to the sewer system. The project's boundaries are in Staten Island Community Board 3 and include: Nashville Street between Amboy Road and Craig Avenue; Parker Street between Amboy Road and Lenhart Street; Brehaut Avenue between Amboy Road and Craig Avenue; Barnard Avenue between Amboy Road and Arthur Kill Road; Amboy Road between Barnard Avenue and Joline Avenue; Lion Street between Craig Avenue and Arthur Kill Road; Arthur Kill Road between Fisher Avenue and Lion Street; and Craig Avenue between Bernard Avenue and Lion Street.
Upgrading water distribution and sewer infrastructure is a central part of DEP's upcoming capital plan. In Staten Island, to improve the reliability of its water supply, DEP, in conjunction with the Port Authority, will begin an approximately $250 million project for construction of a new water tunnel to provide redundancy for the Staten Island water supply system. Because Staten Island lacks storm and even sanitary sewers in some areas, an additional $361 million is budgeted from FY 2010 through FY 2014 for sewers. The budget also includes $258 million for remediation of the closed Brookfield Avenue landfill, a joint City/State project.
DEP manages the City's water supply, providing more than 1 billion gallons of water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8 million in New York City. New York City's water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the City, and comprises 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 7,400 miles of sewer lines take wastewater to 14 in-City treatment plants.
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