New York City Department of Environmental Protection Acting Commissioner Vincent Sapienza and Design and Construction Commissioner Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora today announced that a $46 million project recently got underway to upgrade more than five miles of drinking water delivery and sewer infrastructure along Southern Boulevard in Bronx.
Work will include the construction of more than five miles of new steel trunk water mains and ductile iron distribution mains in order to ensure a reliable supply of drinking water and improve water pressure in South Bronx. In addition, one mile of new, larger sewer infrastructure will be constructed, along with the installation of dozens of new catch basins, to improve drainage in the area. The project will also include the installation of new fire hydrants to ensure firefighters have ready access to the City’s water supply. DEP is funding the project and DDC is managing the construction, which is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2018.
“This $46 million investment will improve the quality of life for residents and businesses in Crotona Park, Morrisania, Woodstock, Mott Haven, Port Morris and Hunts Point,” said DEP Acting Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “New water mains will help to ensure a reliable supply of drinking water for decades to come and larger sewers and new catch basins will improve drainage during heavy rain storms.”
“DDC is proud to work with DEP to strengthen the City’s sewer systems and provide Bronx residents with innovative, resilient infrastructure,” said DDC Commissioner Feniosky Peña-Mora. “It is imperative that we ensure quality water service, including adequate water pressure and improved wastewater management, for this section of Southern Boulevard and citywide.”
“This upgrade is a smart investment that will continue to provide residents of the South Bronx with a more reliable water supply system while also protecting its infrastructure,” said City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “I want to thank the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Design and Construction for their continued commitment in proactively taking measures to improve this valuable resource and ensuring that New York City residents feel confident in their water supply.”
“Having a world-class infrastructure system is imperative for the growth of our borough, especially as it pertains to the delivery of fresh drinking water to our communities,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “Unfortunately, in recent months, we have seen what happens, in other parts of the country, when we don’t take care of our infrastructure and protect our vital drinking water supplies. I want to thank Acting DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza and DDC Commissioner Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora for investing the resources necessary to ensure the delivery of fresh drinking water to residents in Crotona Park, Morrisania, Woodstock and Concourse Village.”
“This investment only demonstrates that our city is serious about providing clean and safe drinking water to communities across South Bronx,” said City Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr. “These are the type of infrastructure improvements that keep our borough strong, and I look forward to seeing more upgrades just like this moving forward.”
“I am hopeful that this project will help to improve water pressure and sewer management, as well as minimize future disruption in water services for my constituents who live in Concourse Village, Morrisania and Crotona Park,” said State Senator Ruben Diaz. “The installation of new catch basins to improve drainage and the addition of new fire hydrants will help to improve the quality of life for the families who live in these neighborhoods.”
“Clean water is essential for our everyday life. Without it, we cannot cook, shower, brush our teeth or clean our clothes,” said Assembly Member Michael Blake. “This new water main and sewer system upgrade will help maintain a clean flow of water to homes in our district, protecting both the health of our residents and the resiliency of our community.”
“As a community we are grateful to The Mayor and DEP Commissioner for prioritizing this project. Our sewer and water systems are part of the bones of this City and making sure they are strong makes for a better quality of life for all residents,” said Assembly Member Marcos A. Crespo. “This improvement will lead to better storm drainage and stronger water pressure while avoiding potential service disruptions or other hazards.”
The infrastructure upgrade project includes the installation of 14,023 linear feet of 48 and 36-inch trunk water mains, and 13,885 linear feet of 12-inch water mains. In order to expand the capacity of the drainage system, 3,270 linear feet of 12-inch sewers will be replaced with 15-inch sewers. The project also includes the installation of 29 new catch basins, 64 new fire hydrants and 110 trees.
DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing more than one billion gallons of water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8.5 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. In addition, DEP has a robust capital program, with a planned $14 billion in investments over the next 10 years that will create up to 3,000 construction-related jobs per year. This capital program is responsible for critical projects like City Water Tunnel No. 3; the Staten Island Bluebelt program, an ecologically sound and cost-effective stormwater management system; the city’s Watershed Protection Program, which protects sensitive lands upstate near the city’s reservoirs in order to maintain their high water quality; and the installation of more than 820,000 Automated Meter Reading devices, which will allow customers to track their daily water use, more easily manage their accounts and be alerted to potential leaks on their properties. For more information, visit here, 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 de Blasio’s lenses of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, new or upgraded roadways, sewers, water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $10 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 here.
