NYC Green Infrastructure Plan

2011 Update

Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor

Carter Strickland, Commissioner
NYC Green Infrastructure Plan
 Michael R. Bloomberg
Mayor

Dear Friends:
One of the goals of our Administration’s extensive environmental initiative, PlaNYC, is to restore coastal
ecosystems by improving the quality of our waterways. Today, New York Harbor is the cleanest it has
been in more than a century, thanks largely to the $9 billion that the City has invested in water quality
since 2002. However, tough economic times require us to budget and spend especially responsibly.
That is why we continue to work with our federal and state regulators to reform mandates and allow the
City to invest in the infrastructure we need in the most cost-effective ways possible.
The NYC Green Infrastructure Plan, which changes the way the City manages rain-related pollution, is
a major part of this effort. The joint economic and environmental analysis contained within the plan has
shown that the cost of new green infrastructure and more efficient water management systems would
save billions of dollars over more traditional fixes. By using green infrastructure technology to keep
stormwater out of our sewers, we can reduce sewer overflows and promote the sustainability policies
that will make New York greener and greater – and save taxpayers money, too.
The State has given us a green light to move forward with our plan, and we’ve backed up our proposal
with significant resources – $1.5 billion over the next 20 years. Implementing the plan will require ongo-
ing collaboration between key City agencies and the many civic leaders who are committed to improv-
ing our waterways. Our implementation of the NYC Green Infrastructure Plan will ensure that we all
remain focused on the same goal: a cleaner and more accessible harbor that continues to benefit our
great City.

Sincerely,

Michael R. Bloomberg
Mayor

i
 Carter H. Strickland
Commissioner

Dear Friends:
From our pioneering work creating wetlands to handle stormwater in Staten Island’s Bluebelts to our
watershed management program that protects our drinking water from the Catskill Mountains, DEP has
sought to use natural systems to perform our work where effective and economical. Together those
programs have saved DEP ratepayers billions of dollars in avoided hard infrastructure such as storm
sewers and filtration plants, while preserving large tracts of natural areas.
The NYC Green Infrastructure Plan continued that tradition by demonstrating that the widespread
adoption of green roofs, bioswales, and other green infrastructure will absorb or delay runoff from
storms, keep it out of our combined sewer system, and reduce the combined sewer overflows that
are the primary source of pathogens in New York Harbor. In addition, we predicted that this approach
would save billions of dollars and would also beautify our neighborhoods, increase property values, and
improve air quality.
On March 13, 2012, DEP and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
finalized an historic agreement that incorporates an iterative, adaptive management approach,
committing DEP to:
• Construct green infrastructure citywide that will manage 10% of the runoff from impervious
surfaces by 2030;
• Construct $2 million of green infrastructure in three neighborhood demonstration areas;
• Construct $3.4 billion in grey infrastructure, of which $1.8 billion has already been incurred; and
• Publish 11 Long Term Control Plans for the control of combined sewer overflows by 2017.
In exchange, DEC has eliminated approximately $1.4 billion in grey infrastructure projects, and agreed
to defer another $2 billion in additional grey infrastructure that had been proposed, providing DEP with
the necessary time to build and monitor green infrastructure projects.
We didn’t wait for this consent order to be finalized before getting to work. In 2011, the City created an
interagency Green Infrastructure Task Force to identify opportunities to add green infrastructure to capital
projects, created an Office of Green Infrastructure within DEP, launched a Green Infrastructure Grant
Program, developed standard designs for green infrastructure, signed a memorandum of agreement for
the maintenance of green infrastructure, and facilitated the creation of a Green Infrastructure Steering
Committee comprised of community groups and other interested parties. This report provides details
about those developments and more.
Together we can implement the NYC Green Infrastructure Plan and work towards a greener, greater
New York.

Sincerely,

Carter H. Strickland, Jr.

Commissioner

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Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1

Goals and Achievements.............................................................................................................. 3

1. BUILD COST-EFFECTIVE GREY INFRASTRUCTURE ................................................................... 5

Paerdegat Basin CSO Detention Facility.............................................................................. 5

Alley Creek CSO Detention Facility....................................................................................... 5
High Level Storm Sewers ..................................................................................................... 6
Tallman Island System Wet Weather Maximization .............................................................. 6

2. OPTIMIZE THE EXISTING WASTEWATER SYSTEM...................................................................... 7

Interceptor Improvement Program........................................................................................ 7

Tide Gate Maintenance Program ......................................................................................... 8
Demand Side Management ................................................................................................. 8

3. CONTROL RUNOFF FROM 10% OF IMPERVIOUS SURFACES THROUGH

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE............................................................................................................. 9

Green Infrastructure Task Force............................................................................................ 9

Stormwater performance standard and opportunities in new development ....................... 9
Green infrastructure Retrofits.............................................................................................. 10
Jamaica Wastewater Treatment Plant Green Roof..................................................... 11
High Density Residential Green Infrastructure: The Bronx River Houses................... 11
Right-of-Way Bioswales and Greenstreets................................................................. 13
North and South Conduit Bioretention Zone ............................................................. 14
Select Bus Service Stations....................................................................................... 14
Neighborhood Demonstration Areas.................................................................................. 15
Rain Barrel Giveaway Program........................................................................................... 16
Green Infrastructure Grant Program................................................................................... 17

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4. INSTITUTIONALIZE ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT, MODEL IMPACTS, MEASURE PROGRAM
ELEMENTS, AND MONITOR WATER QUALITY........................................................................... 19

Institutionalizing Adaptive Management ............................................................................ 19

Watershed-Level Planning.................................................................................................. 20
Modeling Landside Infrastructure and Water Quality Modeling ......................................... 20
Measuring Program Performance and Csos .................................................................... 21
Monitoring Ambient Water Quality...................................................................................... 21
Research and Development for Measuring CSOs ............................................................. 21

5. ENGAGE AND ENLIST STAKEHOLDERS IN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT........................... 22

Notification Systems........................................................................................................... 22
Green Infrastructure Citizen’s Group................................................................................... 22
Green Infrastructure Steering Committee........................................................................... 22
Fostering Stewardship of Green Infrastructure................................................................... 23
Long Term Control Plans..................................................................................................... 24

Green Infrastructure Case Studies.................................................................................... 25

Enhanced Tree Pits and Streetside Infiltration Swales in the Right of Way........................ 26
Spring Creek Bus Depot Parking Lot Pilot.......................................................................... 31
Blue Roof Comparison Study on 1201 Metropolitan Avenue ............................................ 35
Blue/Green Roof Study on P.S. 118.................................................................................... 40

Appendix A: CSO Order

Appendix B: Standard Bioswale Designs

iv
 Formed the Office of
Green Infrastructure 2011 Rain Barrel Giveaway

Created Position of
Assistant Commissioner First Green Infrastructure First Green Infrastructure
Released the NYC Green Infrastructure Plan for Green Infrastructure Citizen’s Group Meeting Steering Committee Meeting

2 2
0 Sept Oct Nov Dec 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr
1 1
0 1

First Green Infrastructure Completed Blue Roof at 1201 Metropolitan Avenue Groundbreaking for North Completed Replacement of
Task Force Meeting and South Conduit Avenue CSO Outfall Signs
Bioretention Zone

O
n September 28, 2010, the City released the parking lots. Together with conservation measures and
NYC Green Infrastructure Plan (the Plan), operational improvements, the widespread adoption
which set forth a series of initiatives and op- of green infrastructure can reduce more CSOs at less
portunities that dramatically change the way we man- cost than second-tier “grey” infrastructure. Moreover,
age stormwater. New York City, like other older urban green infrastructure projects provide many quality-of-
centers, is largely serviced by a combined sewer sys- life benefits to New Yorkers, by improving air quality,
tem where stormwater and wastewater are carried increasing shading, increasing property values, and
through a single pipe. Even though treatment plants improving our streetscape.
are designed to treat and disinfect twice the dry weath- Over the course of the past year, DEP has made mean-
er flow, during heavy storms the system can exceed its ingful progress toward implementing the goals set
capacity and is designed to discharge a mix of storm- forth in the Plan. By the end of October 2010, the City
water and wastewater—called combined sewer over- had already formed the inter-agency Green Infrastruc-
flow or CSO—into New York Harbor in order to prevent ture Task Force and had met to develop the project
treatment plants from becoming compromised. Rather pipeline in order to add green infrastructure to existing
than build additional large storage tanks or tunnels to and planned capital projects. By January 2011, DEP
temporarily store stormwater at the end of the sewer had appointed an Assistant Commissioner for Green
system, the Plan determined that it was more cost- Infrastructure, choosing Magdi Farag, an engineer with
effective to first construct source controls and green 50 years of drainage and sewer experience, and had
infrastructure—including bioswales, green roofs, and formed the Office of Green Infrastructure of civil en-
subsurface detention systems—to control stormwater gineers and city planners to implement the Plan and
from impervious spaces such as roofs, sidewalks, and oversee construction. In February, DEP held the first

1
 Launched Webmap Application
$3.8 Million in
Completion of Alley Green Infrastructure Completion of Green Infrastructure Completed Green Roof Released RFP for Adopted Stormwater Rules
Creek CSO Facility Grants Awarded at the Bronx River Houses at Jamaica Bay WWTP CSO Monitoring for New Development

2
May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 0 Jan Feb Mar
1
2

Completed Paerdegat Basin CSO Facility Completed Green Infrastructure Completed Dean Street Bioswales Completed Inflatable Dams CSO order
at MTA Parking Lot Adopted by DEC

Green Infrastructure Citizen’s Group meeting, formed a ceived, DEP announced the winners of the Green Infra-
steering committee made up of key stakeholders, and structure Grant Program and awarded more than $3.8
announced the first annual Green Infrastructure Grant million in awards. The Mayor’s 10-year capital plan, ad-
Program. At the end of that month DEP announced opted in June 2011, included $735 million for building
that it had met a significant milestone by replacing all green infrastructure. In September 2011, after several
of the signs at CSO outfalls, thereby improving public years of development, DEP released a proposed rule
notification. that requires enhanced on-site stormwater controls for
As the seasons changed and spring’s rains rolled in, we new development and redevelopment.
completed construction on pilot projects to test green In March 2012, DEP and the New York State
infrastructure technologies, including a blue roof on a Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
DEP facility in the Newtown Creek watershed, porous amended a consent order to reduce CSOs which in-
pavement at a DEP facility in the Jamaica Bay water- cludes milestones for building green infrastructure and
shed, a pocket wetland at an MTA bus depot in Ja- including those results in Long Term Control Plans
maica, and installation of monitoring equipment in bio- (LTCPs). This consent order provides the certainty to
swales and on a green roof. We also gave away 1,000 continue the program while building in flexibility and
rain barrels to residents in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, accountability so that we can continually improve and
and Staten Island. And in May 2011, DEP completed refine our approach.
CSO detention facilities at Paerdegat Basin and Alley The first year of the program has been successful in
Creek, together reducing the volume of CSOs by more establishing a foundation for green infrastructure city-
than 1.4 billion gallons each year. In early June, after wide. In the Plan we committed to ten goals, which we
careful consideration of the many applications we re- have largely achieved.
2
Goals and Achievements
1 Goal Prepare a Green Infrastructure Fund
Steps The City has committed $187 million through Fiscal Year (FY) 2015. In addition, the City included $735 million
Taken for Green Infrastructure in its 10-year capital budget and is prepared to commit $1.5 billion through FY30.

Status Goal Achieved

Create an inter-agency partnership – the Green Infrastructure Task Force – to incorporate

2 Goal stormwater management into roadway, sidewalk, and other capital projects and to provide
for the maintenance of green infrastructure
The City has created the Green Infrastructure Task Force, which is comprised of various City agencies.
Steps Since the release of the Plan, DEP has coordinated five Green Infrastructure Task Force meetings and
has established a schedule of standing quarterly meetings. In addition, DEP has coordinated tours of
Taken
various green infrastructure sites and has signed an agreement for maintenance of green infrastructure
in the right of way.
Status Goal Achieved

Goal Build green infrastructure demonstration projects on a variety of land uses

3
Several green infrastructure projects have been constructed on a variety of land uses, including blue
Steps and green roofs at schools and other facilities, subsurface perforated pipe systems under parking lots,
Taken permeable pavement on sidewalks, bioswales in the right of way, and rain gardens in public open spaces.
Data collected over the next two years will be used to inform future green infrastructure projects.
Status Goal Achieved

Partner with community groups to develop programs for the construction and maintenance of
4 Goal
green infrastructure
In 2011 the City introduced the Green Infrastructure Grant Program and awarded approximately $3.8
million to local organizations and private property owners to build green infrastructure projects on private
Steps property and public sidewalks. In addition, the City has formed the Green Infrastructure Citizen’s Group and
Taken steering committee which is comprised of stakeholders from environmental justice, economic development,
architecture and design, real estate, and other integral communities.
Status Goal Achieved and Ongoing

Launch a comprehensive program to increase optimization of the existing system, including

5 drainage plans, hydraulic studies, the survey and rehabilitation of 138 miles of interceptor
Goal
sewers in two years, the inspection and repair of tide gates, and programs to prevent grease
from obstructing the sewers
Steps Inspections of the structural condition of 138 miles of intercepting sewers are complete. DEP is
Taken reviewing the data and making repair plans for pipes with high levels of sedimentation.
Status Goal Achieved and Ongoing

3
 Develop a stormwater management standard for new construction and redevelopment that
6 Goal expands existing development
Interagency, industry, and environmental stakeholder meetings and peer reviews were held during 2010
Steps and 2011 to develop a stormwater management standard for new construction and redevelopment. The
Taken proposed rule and notice of public hearing were distributed on September 29, 2011. The performance
standard was promulgated on January 4, 2012.
Status Goal Achieved

Goal Pilot sewer charges for stormwater for stand-alone parking lots
7
Stand-alone parking lots with no water service are now charged $0.05 per square foot for wastewater
Steps services, a yearly average of $669 per lot. DEP billed $195,000 in stormwater charges for stand-alone
parking lots in FY 2012. DEP has implemented a credit program to simultaneously waive charges for
Taken
lots that demonstrate the ability to capture stormwater and prevent it from entering the sewer system,
incentivizing the investment in different types of green infrastructure.

Status Goal Achieved

Refine DEP models by including new impervious cover data and extending predictions to
8 Goal
ambient water quality
Immediately following the release of the Plan, DEP began recalibrating the InfoWorks models for six of the
Steps 13 watersheds using updated impervious data based on a 2009 satellite flyover and other data sources.
Taken Recalibration work and water quality modeling will continue pending contract approval and as DEP
develops watershed specific Long Term Control Plans.

Status Ongoing

Goal Identify other funding for additional elements of the Green Infrastructure Plan
9
The City has begun to identify other funding sources for elements of the Plan. Through the Green
Steps Infrastructure Grant Program, awardees will contribute nearly $700,000 to their construction projects.
Taken DEP is also pursuing opportunities for public-private partnerships as well as cost sharing with City Council
Members using their discretionary funds.

Status Ongoing

Goal Replace all CSO outfall signs to reduce potential exposure.

10
Steps DEP has replaced signs at 410 CSO outfalls and received waivers from DEC for the
Taken remaining outfalls.

Status Goal Achieved

4
 The Paerdegat Basin CSO Detention Facility, a cost effective grey infrastructure investment, can store up to 30 million gallons of untreated wastewater at a time.

1 BUILD COST-EFFECTIVE GREY INFRASTRUCTURE

Over the next 20 years, DEP has committed to lons per storm. An additional 20 million gallons
investing $2.9 billion in cost-effective grey infra- of wastewater can be stored in the sewer lines.
structure that will reduce the volume of CSOs The stored wastewater is detained at the facility
by more than eight billion gallons per year. In the until the wet weather subsides, when it is then
past year, DEP completed the Paerdegat Basin pumped to the nearby Coney Island WWTP. We
and Alley Creek CSO Detention Facilities, adding estimate that this facility will prevent 1.2 billion
to the two recently completed or upgraded facili- gallons of untreated wastewater per year from be-
ties at Flushing Bay and Spring Creek. The im- ing discharged into Paerdegat Basin, a 1.25 mile
pact of these four facilities on CSO volumes and channel that is connected to Jamaica Bay. This
water quality will be measured through detailed decrease in CSOs will improve the water quality
post-construction monitoring over several years. in Paerdegat Basin and Jamaica Bay, increase
DEP has constructed other sewer improvements, dissolved oxygen concentrations, decrease coli-
such as bending weirs and inflatable dams, that form levels, remove nearly all floatables such as
will reduce the number and intensity of CSOs. plastic bottles, and capture up to 80% of “settle-
DEP is also in the process of maximizing the wet able” solids, which can create sediment mounds
weather capacity of the sewer system leading to and cause unpleasant odors within the basin and
the Tallman Island Wastewater Treatment Plant the bay. Overall, the Paerdegat Basin facility will
(WWTP). For the next generation of cost-effective reduce combined overflow discharges into the
grey infrastructure controls, DEP is planning fur- basin by approximately 70%—from 1,833 million
ther sewer improvements, including more bending gallons to 555 million gallons per year.
weirs, as well as High Level Storm Sewers (HLSS)
to strategically separate street runoff from other Alley Creek CSO Detention Facility
wastewater flows. DEP completed the Alley Creek CSO Detention
Facility on May 25, 2011. This facility can store
Paerdegat Basin CSO Detention Facility a maximum of five million gallons of combined
On May 12, 2011, DEP completed construction wastewater that was previously discharged into
of the Paerdegat Basin CSO Detention Facility, Alley Creek and Little Neck Bay. This detention
which has a maximum capacity of 30 million gal- facility will result in immediate water quality im-

5
 High Level Storm Sewers

NEW CATCH BASIN

CONNECTIONS TO THE
HIGH LEVEL STORM SEWER CATCH BASIN

YARD YARD

SANITERY WASTE
DRAIN DRAIN

WATER
YARD STORM
ROOF AND

TRAP
PIT
NEW HIGH LEVEL
STORM SEWER

CONNECTION TO
CONNECTION FROM COMBINED SEWER
EXISTING CATCH BASIN TO BE
ELIMINATED AND RECONNECTED EXISTING
TO HIGH LEVEL STORM SEWER COMBINED SEWER

High Level Storm Sewers channel stormwater runoff from streets and sidewalks into a separate sewer from sanitary waste, alleviating pressure on the combined sewer during wet weather.
When HLSS are installed, the connection from the catch basins to the combined sewer is eliminated.

provements in Alley Creek and Little Neck Bay, land WWTP. This two pronged approach includes
increasing dissolved oxygen concentrations, de- operational changes to enhance sewer cleaning
creasing coliform levels, and reducing floatables schedules to reduce system bottlenecks and con-
and settleable solids within the creek and bay. struction of modifications to interceptors and spe-
Once a storm subsides, the detained wastewater cific regulators, such as lowering the regulator’s
is pumped to the Tallman Island WWTP for treat- overflow weir height to optimize volume capacity.
ment. Now that the facility is in operation, the DEP is in the process of awarding a construction
overall volume of combined overflows discharged contract to complete the wet weather maximiza-
into Alley Creek is expected to decrease from ap- tion of Tallman Island system.
proximately 246 million gallons per year to 112
million gallons, a 54.4% reduction.

High Level Storm Sewers

High Level Storm Sewers (HLSS) alleviate pres-
sure on the combined sewer system by removing
street runoff before it enters the combined sewers
and diverting it directly into the waterways through
permitted outlets. DEP expects this strategic, par-
tial separation of our sewer system to divert 50%
of stormwater runoff from the combined system
in the areas in which it is built, preserving capac-
ity in combined sewers and reducing the volume
of stormwater sent to treatment plants. However,
because HLSS require a separate pipe and outlet
to a waterbody, this strategy is most cost-effec-
tive in close proximity to the water’s edge.

Tallman Island System

Wet Weather Maximization
In 2011, DEP finalized designs that maximize the
amount of wet weather flow sent to the Tallman Is- Cleaning catch basins increases the capacity of the sewer system.

6
 DEP uses Vactor trucks to remove sedimentation from the sewer system, increasing its capacity to hold wastewater during wet weather.

2 OPTIMIZE THE EXISTING WASTEWATER SYSTEM

Since the release of the Plan, DEP has undertaken Sediment
Capacity Created
a series of initiatives to improve how we operate Drainage Basin Removed
(Gallons/Storm)
and maintain our infrastructure. These initiatives (Cubic Yards)
will institutionalize a higher level of system opti- 26th Ward 5 1,042
mization than we have been able to achieve in the Bowery Bay 112 22,718
past, and will complement our cost-effective grey
Coney Island 487 98,361
infrastructure investments that are also part of the
Plan. Hunt’s Point * - -
Jamaica 1,115 225,124
Interceptor Improvement Program Newtown Creek * - -
DEP established the Interceptor Improvement North River * - -
Program to maintain the 138 miles of intercepting
Oakwood Beach * - -
sewers citywide in a state of good repair. Inter-
cepting sewers are main sewer lines that receive Owl’s Head * - -
wastewater from a combination of sanitary and Port Richmond 22 4,342
storm sewers and transport it to WWTPs. Over Red Hook 15 3,030
the past year, DEP inspected all the intercepting Rockaway 477 96,342
sewers and evaluated the degree of sedimenta-
Tallman Island 2,126 429,469
tion. In addition, DEP is reviewing the collected
data and video of pipes that have a high level of Ward’s Island 131 26,459
sedimentation and is making plans for repairs and TOTAL 4,490 906,887
rehabilitation. * DEP is currently in the process of removing sewer sedimentation in the Coney Island
and Rockaway drainage basins. Once these areas have been fully cleaned, DEP will
In addition to inspections, DEP is currently per- begin to service the sewers in the remaining drainage areas.
forming its own programmatic maintenance pro-
When the cleaning is completed in mid-2012, the
gram using new Vactor trucks. Since July 2010,
Interceptor Improvement Program will reduce
DEP has removed 4,490 cubic yards of sediment.
CSOs by more than 50 million gallons a year.

7
 When a spike in consumption is recorded by the AMR device, customers enrolled in the leak notification system receive emails to alert them to
possible leaks on their property.

Tide Gate Maintenance Program As of March 2012, DEP installed Automated Me-
Tide gates prevent seawater from entering the ter Reading (AMR) devices for over 794,000 cus-
sewer system at CSO outfalls. If a tide gate leaks, tomers. The new AMR technology sends accurate
seawater can enter the system and reduce sewer readings to a computerized billing system up to
capacity. In extreme cases, leaking tide gates can four times a day and lets customers track their
change the density of sanitary sewage so that it daily water use online. Now, 94% of DEP custom-
is harder to remove solids at treatment plants. ers can monitor their water consumption to iden-
DEP crews are responsible for correcting any tify leaks and wasteful consumption patterns.
conditions that they encounter during the inspec-
tions that impair the proper operation of the tide DEP developed a Leak Notification Program to
gates. In the last year, DEP inspected all 550 tide alert customers of potential water leaks. Custom-
gates citywide, and repaired those that could be ers who enroll in the program receive an email
fixed with in-house capabilities. Repairs included whenever a spike in consumption meets DEP’s
removing the gates from the regulator and reha- criteria for a leak. Customers who do not enroll in
bilitating them in DEP workshops, working on the the program receive a letter and phone call from
tide gates in place or, when the gates were beyond DEP alerting them to a potential leak.
the capability of DEP staff, repairing them under The existing demand management strategy con-
a separate job order contract. Approximately 60 sists of completing AMR installations, amending
gates required extensive repairs that need a con- the water use rules to reflect technical and proce-
tractor or require complete replacement. Replace- dural changes, promoting water efficiency, offer-
ment and repair of those tide gates is underway. ing reuse and education programs, and continu-
ously tracking and projecting water demand. DEP
Demand Side Management is currently working with other City agencies to
Over the past fifty years, New York City water develop water efficiency strategies and pilots in
consumption has continued to decline despite in- City-owned buildings.
creases in population. Water consumption peaked
Moving forward, DEP will continue to replace
in 1979, when slightly more than seven million New
large water meters and is planning a new fixture
Yorkers consumed an average of 1.5 billion gallons
replacement program to reduce consumption lev-
of water each day—about 214 gallons per person.
els amongst our most inefficient customers. Fur-
Last year, residential consumption was approxi-
ther research on conservation pricing and other
mately 75 gallons per person per day. DEP proj-
strategies is in development. For more informa-
ects that this trend will continue based on a variety
tion on DEP’s conservation efforts, see the water
of factors including new national low-water fixture
Conservation Report on our website.
standards, price signals, and conservation efforts.

8
 The Green Infrastructure Task Force toured a variety of green infrastructure projects built by DEP across the city, including the bioswale pictured above.

CONTROL RUNOFF FROM 10% OF IMPERVIOUS SURFACES

3 THROUGH GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
Over the past year, DEP has worked with various Task Force. In November 2011, DEP, DOT, and DPR
City agencies to develop, design, construct, and signed an agreement providing that DPR will use
monitor pilot green infrastructure projects. In that Greenstreets crews to maintain vegetated green in-
time, DEP launched the Green Infrastructure Task frastructure in the right of way through June 2015.
Force and the first ever Green Infrastructure Grant Greenstreets crews are trained to manage veg-
Program, adopted a new rule for stormwater etated systems and are able to integrate green in-
management in new construction, and built green frastructure sites into their current workflow, with
roofs, blue roofs, bioswales, rain gardens, and additional support from DEP.
other types of green infrastructure across the city.
Stormwater Performance Standard and
Green Infrastructure Task Force Opportunities in New Development
In October 2010, DEP joined commissioners In January 2012, DEP adopted a rule requiring new
from various City agencies to achieve the com- construction and major building alteration projects
mon goal of managing stormwater by developing to capture more stormwater runoff, to provide ad-
a pipeline of agency capital projects that could ditional capacity in the combined sewer system,
include green infrastructure. Since then, DEP led and to reduce street flooding. Enhancing an al-
five Green Infrastructure Task Force meetings with ready existing requirement to manage stormwater,
representatives from the Departments of Design the rule means that developers will employ more
and Construction (DDC), Parks and Recreation green roofs, blue roofs, rain gardens, and deten-
(DPR), Transportation (DOT), Education (DOE), tion techniques, and will also minimize impervi-
Sanitation (DSNY), and other City agencies. ous areas to the extent possible. For a typical site
over 5,000 square feet in a combined sewer area,
In addition to the quarterly task force meetings, DEP estimates that the rule will limit stormwater
the agencies have developed standard designs discharge to 10% of its present permitted flow to
and specifications for Right-of-Way (ROW) Bio- the combined sewer system using cost-effective
swales and siting procedures. detention, infiltration, and recycling techniques.
Ensuring maintenance of green infrastructure has The rule was developed over the past two years,
been a critical goal for the Green Infrastructure with input from the building industry and environ-

9
Streetside infiltration swales, such as this one located in Brooklyn, can manage thousands of gallons of stormwater each year.

mental organizations, including the Real Estate Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainabil-
Board of New York, Urban Green, the Regional ity and other City agencies. Based on extensive
Planning Association, American Institute of Archi- feedback, the rule credits infiltration into soil, re-
tects, Buildings Sustainability Board, Citizens for cycling for on-site use, and minimization of imper-
Affordable Housing, and the Green Infrastructure vious surfaces, all of which can reduce the size of
Steering Committee. In addition, DEP conduct- stormwater control systems.
ed several task force meetings with the Mayor’s
To assist with the implementation of the new rule,
DEP released a companion document, Guidelines
for the Design and Construction of Stormwater
Management Systems, which provides guidance
to the development community and applicants
Guidelines for the with the selection, planning, design and con-
Design and Construction of struction of onsite source controls. This guidance
Stormwater Management Systems document was developed in consultation with the
Developed by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection in
consultation with the New York City Department of Buildings Department of Buildings and peer reviewed by ex-
perts in the industry. The Guidelines also include
2012 information for the proper operation and mainte-
nance of stormwater management systems and
feature a stormwater calculator to verify system
sizing calculations. The information in the Guide-
lines will be continually updated to reflect the lat-
est technology and best practices.

Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor

Carter H. Strickland, Jr., Commissioner Green Infrastructure Retrofits
DEP has allocated $187 million in capital funds
for FY12-FY15 to implement green infrastructure
on public property in combined sewer areas. DEP
works with the Green Infrastructure Task Force
and the Green Infrastructure Citizen’s Group to
identify green infrastructure opportunities within
priority watersheds and subwatersheds.

10
The Jamaica Wastewater Treatment Plant green roof manages more than 13,000 gallons of stormwater each year, reduces the building’s absorption of ultraviolet light, and improves insulation.

Over the past year, DEP has worked with the light and improves insulation, cooling the interior
Green Infrastructure Task Force partners includ- and increasing energy efficiency.
ing the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA),
DOE, School Construction Authority (SCA), DSNY, High Density Residential Green Infrastructure:
DDC-Structures Division and other groups such The Bronx River Houses
as the Trust for Public Land to identify opportuni- Through a partnership with NYCHA, DEP select-
ties for green infrastructure on City-owned prop- ed the Bronx River Houses (BRH) to participate
erty. After a detailed review, DEP selects proper- in a green infrastructure demonstration program
ties that: because of its location within the Bronx River
watershed, existing large roofs, and proportion
• are within combined sewer areas;
of paved and grassed areas. The program at the
• have large impervious area or roofs to maxi- BRH includes four types of green infrastructure
mize stormwater capture; and appropriate for high-density residential complex-
• are appropriate for onsite green infrastructure es: a blue roof, rain gardens, perforated pipes,
technologies such as blue roofs, green roofs, and stormwater chambers. Together the green
subsurface detention, and rain gardens. infrastructure projects at the BRH will capture ap-
proximately 32,300 gallons of stormwater during
Jamaica Wastewater Treatment Plant Green Roof a one-inch storm.
In October 2011, DEP completed a green roof
DEP installed stormwater chambers underneath
atop the Jamaica WWTP. The green roof has the
the 9,100 square foot BRH North Parking lot.
ability to absorb up to 13,000 gallons of stormwa-
Stormwater chambers collect, clean, and hold
ter annually, reducing runoff as well as the likeli-
stormwater so it can be slowly released into the
hood and intensity of CSO discharges into Jamai-
sewer system or infiltrate into the ground. Storm-
ca Bay. The plantings at the Jamaica WWTP are
water enters the sewer inlets, runs through a pre-
grown in a specially-designed soil which sits on a
treatment structure to collect sediment and debris,
drainage layer, absorbing rainfall and slowing run-
and is directed into the stormwater chambers.
off into the sewer system before it discharges into
The stormwater chambers have an approximate
Jamaica Bay. DEP planted sedum, a hardy spe-
capacity of 4,850 gallons per one-inch storm.
cies chosen for its low maintenance needs and
ability to withstand drought. The green roof also DEP installed a blue roof on a 1,675 square foot
reduces the building’s absorption of ultraviolet section of the BRH Community Center roof. A blue

11
roof is a system that “detains” rainfall by slowing Stormwater Chambers
Underdrain Pipe
the flow of stormwater so that it will take hours to Inflow to
Pretreatment
Overflow
Outlet
drain. The blue roof at BRH collects and stores Gravel
Control
Structure
rain in 180 small, aluminum trays, with gravel as
ballast to prevent the trays from blowing away. Outlet to
Sewer

Stormwater stored in the trays evaporates into the

air or flows slowly through filter fabric to holes at
Outlet Orifice
the bottom of the tray and eventually into the roof
drain. The blue roof can capture approximately Stormwater
750 gallons of stormwater per one-inch storm. Manifold Chambers

DEP constructed five rain gardens at the BRH to

collect surface runoff from about 40,000 square Blue Roof
feet of sidewalks and other paved areas. Rain gar-
dens are shallow basins with underground, perfo-
rated drainage pipes that are covered with a layer
of gravel, then a layer of soil, and are finally plant-
ed with a hardy species. Stormwater infiltrates the
soil and is stored in the gravel layer during wet
weather, and the plants take up much of the water
through evapotranspiration. The pipes drain away
excess water during severe storms. The five rain
gardens can capture approximately 18,500 gal-
lons of stormwater per one-inch storm.
DEP installed a perforated pipe system under- Rain Gardens

neath the 7,500 square foot BRH South Parking

Lot. A perforated pipe system is a subsurface sys-
tem that collects, cleans, and holds stormwater
so that it can be slowly released into the sewer
system or infiltrate into the ground. The perforated
pipe system can capture approximately 8,200 gal-
lons of stormwater per one-inch storm.
Preliminary data indicates that the green infra-
structure systems reduce peak runoff rates and
the total volume of stormwater runoff into the
sewer system. For example, during a storm with a Perforated Pipes
total precipitation of two inches, the rain gardens Underdrain Pipe

captured all of the stormwater in the contributory Inflow to

Pretreatment
Overflow
Outlet
drainage area. In a year with typical rainfall, DEP Control
Structure
Gravel
estimates that the four projects will manage more
Outlet to
than one million gallons of stormwater. Sewer

Throughout the Bronx River Houses, DEP has

installed interpretive signs in both English and Outlet Orifice

Spanish. The signs feature illustrations of the wa-

ter cycle and information on why and how green Manifold
Perforated
Pipes
infrastructure systems are an important strategy
in protecting our waterways. After the signs and
green infrastructure had been installed for a few stallations and whether DEP was effectively com-
months DEP surveyed 75 people at BRH to better municating the purpose of green infrastructure.
understand how residents felt about the new in- Overall, the survey results indicate that residents

12
enjoy the green infrastructure, value their storm- from the street and sidewalk. Since 2009, DEP has
water benefits, and would like to help install and been studying various types of green infrastructure
maintain future green infrastructure systems. systems in the right of way (see page 30).
Building on the success at the Bronx River Hous- In 2011, DEP began working with DDC, DOT, and
es, DEP has partnered with NYCHA to introduce DPR to create standard designs for ROW Bio-
green infrastructure into additional properties. swales and to coordinate siting procedures across
The agencies have begun a technical assess- the city. The design group meets on a weekly ba-
ment for the Edenwald Houses, a 49-acre site in sis to analyze the performance of pilot right of
the Hutchinson River watershed, at the Seth Low way green infrastructure systems and modifies
Houses in the Jamaica Bay watershed, and at those designs to maximize stormwater capture,
Hope Gardens in the Newtown Creek watershed. reduce cost, and make maintenance as unneces-
sary and safe as possible. The design group has
Right of Way Bioswales and Greenstreets already developed eight standard designs for ROW
Right of Way (ROW) Bioswales are similar to ex- Bioswales and DEP will publish all approved stan-
isting tree pits and are built within sidewalks up- dard specifications on its website. Standard ROW
stream of existing catch basins to capture runoff bioswales will be 20’ long and 5’ wide. Water will

Bronx River Houses Residents Survey

The rain gardens are an improvement

for our community 84%

The plantings in the rain gardens are an

improvement over previous landscaping (i.e. grass) 76%

I understand the benefits of green infrastructure

after reading the posted signs. 56%

I would be interested in collecting trash to

help keep the rain gardens clean. 53%

13
In October 2011, DEP Commissioner Strickland unveiled the Dean Street bioswales in Brooklyn with DDC Commissioner David Burney, DOT Commissioner Janet Sadik-Khan, and
DPR Commissioner Adrian Benepe.

enter the bioswale through various inlet structures will have a unique design tailored to the distinct
and infiltrate into the underlying soil by traveling drainage patterns and existing right of way, and will
through a three-foot layer of soil and then a more be able to collect stormwater in areas that stan-
porous two-foot layer of gravel. dard ROW Bioswales would be less effective. DPR
will build at least 80 new Greenstreets per year (40
While designs were being completed, DEP re-
in the spring, 40 in the fall) with the first batch of
viewed all capital roadway and sewer projects plans
Greenstreets in Spring 2012.
for FY12-FY13 to incorporate bioswales into exist-
ing contracts. By integrating ROW Bioswales into
North and South Conduit Bioretention Zone
existing capital projects, DEP is able to build green
In 2011, DEP completed the North and South Con-
infrastructure quickly and at a reasonable cost.
duit Avenue stormwater bioretention and treatment
DEP and DDC have already constructed a system
zone within an existing grass-covered roadway
of four ROW Bioswales in the Gowanus Canal wa-
median to help improve harbor water quality in Ja-
tershed in Brooklyn. Over the next year, DEP will
maica Bay. The 13,000 square-foot bioretention
construct at least 42 more bioswales throughout
zone is a below-ground water-retention system
the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens.
comprised of vegetation, sand, and soil. This proj-
DPR has been constructing Greenstreets in un- ect has the capacity to divert at least 200,000 gal-
used areas of the City’s right of way for decades. lons of stormwater that would otherwise flow into
Greenstreets have served many functions such the combined sewer system–roughly 90% of the
as improving air quality and beautifying neighbor- stormwater that accumulates within the drainage
hoods. Until now, Greenstreets were not designed area during a moderate storm.
to manage stormwater because most Greenstreets
were built in unused areas of the roadway, which Select Bus Service Stations
tended to be high points. In 2011, DEP began DEP has partnered with DOT and DPR to install and
funding DPR’s Greenstreets program. Greenstreets maintain bioswales at Select Bus Service stops, in-
have been typically sites in unused areas of the cluding along Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn. Con-
roadbed which are most often high points that are struction on the bioswales is anticipated to begin in
unfit to manage stormwater. New Greenstreets will 2012. Bioswales in the Select Bus Service stations
still target unused portions of the right of way so will be similar to other green infrastructure systems
long as they are able to collect enough stormwa- in the right of way and will be highly visible.
ter to justify the investment. Every new Greenstreet

14
 E1

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17
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Neighborhood Demonstration Areas

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In consultation with DEC, DEP identified three Neighborhood

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Demonstration Areas to test the effectiveness of green infra-
structure systems on a larger scale. These areas are located

SACKMA
AV
LIBERTY

within the Bronx River, Jamaica Bay, and Newtown Creek wa-

N ST

WILLIAM
tersheds and were chosen because underlying sewers are suit-

S AV
able for monitoring. In each of the Demonstration Areas DEP GLENMO
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has identified opportunities such as bioswales and Green-

SNEDIKE
streets in the right of way and onsite detention and retention

JUNIUS

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opportunities on public property.

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watershed, has the opportunity for 19 Greenstreets and
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bioswales and offers options for green infrastructure on

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schools. T AV
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watershed, has the opportunity for 32 bioswales and offers SUTTER

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options for green infrastructure on NYCHA and other city

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AN
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owned property.
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• Neighborhood Demonstration Area 3, in the Newtown Creek

HA

CE
NT
RA

watershed, has the opportunity for 18 bioswales and offers

LA
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options for green infrastructure on schools and NYCHA.

EV
ER

DEP installed monitoring devices and rain gauges in Fall 2011

GR
EE
ST

NA
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to gather baseline wet weather flow data within the combined

GR

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sewer pipe. Between Spring and Summer 2012, DEP will con-
EE

GA
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struct green infrastructure on public property and in the right of

CK

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LM
BL

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way in all three areas. Once construction is complete, DEP will BU

SH
collect and analyze monitoring data to determine the changes WIC
KA
V
GO
in wet weather flows within the Demonstration Areas. The data O DW
IN
PL

captured from the three Demonstration Areas will inform future

siting for green infrastructure installations, the cost effective
ST
ON
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installation rate, and the CSO Long Term Control Plans. Neighborhood
DW
ADemonstration
BR
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Area 3: Newtown Creek Watershed
AV

Y
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15
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 !
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2008 & 2009 Rain Barrel

!
! !

Giveaway Program
!
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!! !
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!
!!!! ! !

Borough # Rain Barrels ! !

!! !
! !
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!
! ! !
!!
Brooklyn 100
Queens 900 !
!
! !

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!! ! !
2011 Rain Barrel
!
!!!
!! !
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Giveaway Program ! ! ! !! ! !
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Borough # Rain Barrels
! ! ! !!
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Brooklyn 400
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Bronx 100 ! ! !! !! !
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Queens 300 ! ! ! ! !! !!
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Staten Island 200
! ! !
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Rain barrels distributed in
!! !
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2008 and 2009
!
! ! ! !
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!
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!!

! !
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! Rain barrels distributed in 2011
!
!

DEP has distributed more than 2,000 rain barrels to homeowners across the outer boroughs.

Rain Barrel Giveaway Program saves customers money for watering lawns and
Rain barrels connect directly to a building’s exist- gardens that would otherwise come from their
ing downspout to collect water for irrigation needs; taps. Also, installing and maintaining rain barrels
homeowners then connect a hose in the spigot requires minimum work.
of the rain barrel for irrigation and gardening pur-
The Rain Barrel Giveaway Program has been a re-
poses, such as watering lawns and gardens. Rain
sounding success as New Yorkers waited on line
barrels can capture thousands of gallons of wa-
for over two hours before each of three giveaway
ter each year to be used by homeowners, rather
events in 2011. After all 1,000 rain barrels had been
than running into catch basins where it can con-
given away, DEP was forced to turn away many ea-
tribute to CSOs. Each rain barrel has the capac-
ger recipients. Because the program has been so
ity to collect up to 55 gallons of stormwater at a
popular, in 2012 DEP anticipates a large program
time, which reduces localized street flooding and
in partnership with retail and hardware stores.
the demand on the city’s drinking water system
during drought conditions.
DEP’s Rain Barrel Giveaway Program initially be-
gan as a pilot program in 2008, when 250 rain
barrels were given to homeowners in the Jamai-
ca Bay watershed. The program was expanded
in 2009 due to the public’s overwhelmingly posi-
tive response. In 2009, the program offered 750
barrels to homeowners in the Jamaica Bay wa-
tershed. In 2011, DEP redoubled its efforts, dis-
tributing an additional 1,000 free rain barrels to
New Yorkers in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and
Staten Island. The Rain Barrel Giveaway Program

16
The Green Infrastructure Grant Program awarded more than $3.8 million in its inaugural year to projects ranging from porous concrete to green roofs. Queens College, part of the City University of
New York, was awarded $375,000 to construct three separate green infrastructure projects on its campus, including rain gardens on common area plazas.

Green Infrastructure Grant Program stormwater per year that would otherwise flow into sewers
In 2011, DEP introduced a grant program to fund and contribute to overflows to the East River. The system
green infrastructure projects on private property. will use weather information and real-time monitoring to
The Green Infrastructure Grant Program was open actively manage the stormwater detention and discharge
to private property owners, businesses and 501(c) functions of cisterns.
(3) organizations to fund projects that use green Geosyntec Consultants were awarded $111,000 to con-
infrastructure to reduce or manage stormwater struct an intelligent distributed cistern system that will
on private property or on public sidewalks. An in- manage 78,296 gallons of stormwater per year. This dy-
teragency committee reviewed more than 50 ap- namic technology will use real-time weather monitoring to
plications and awarded $3.8 million for projects actively manage the stormwater detention and discharge
functions of the cisterns.
including:
The Lenox Hill Neighborhood House was awarded
The 217 Park Row Co-op was awarded $166,000 to build $40,000 to build two rooftop gardens that will manage up
a green roof that will manage approximately 255,000 gal- to 63,000 gallons of stormwater per year and provide its cli-
lons of stormwater per year and will reduce CSOs to the ents with fresh vegetables and educational programs. The
East River. This project also includes a research study on rooftop gardens will capture rain water, reducing CSOs to
migrating birds and breeding bird habitats with Fordham the East River.
University.
New York Restoration Project (NYRP) was awarded
AWISCO, in partnership with the Newtown Creek Alliance nearly $245,000 to install a right-of-way bioswale that will
and Highview Creations LLC, was awarded $206,000 to divert stormwater flow from the street into a rain garden
build a green roof on an industrial building in Maspeth. This that features native plants and trees. The project will man-
green roof will manage over 390,000 gallons of stormwater age approximately 130,000 gallons of stormwater per year
per year and will reduce CSOs to Newtown Creek. and will reduce CSOs to the Gowanus Canal. The design
The Brooklyn Greenway Initiative was awarded $462,000 also includes a small Education Station that will function
to install infiltration planters and porous concrete in the as a remote weather monitoring station and outdoor class-
sidewalk along an entire block of Columbia Street. The room hub.
project will remove street runoff from the combined sewer Osborne Association was awarded $288,000 to build an
system by directing the water into the planters. The project alternating blue roof and green roof system on its building
will reduce CSOs to the East River by managing approxi- in the Bronx. This project will manage over 240,000 gallons
mately 285,000 gallons of stormwater per year. of stormwater per year and will reduce CSOs to the East
The Brooklyn Navy Yard, in partnership with Brook- River. The Osborne Association is partnering with multiple
lyn Grange, was awarded $592,000 to construct a Bronx community leaders to incorporate a green job cur-
40,000-square-foot commercial rooftop farm. The rooftop riculum for formerly incarcerated New Yorkers at this site.
farm will manage over one million gallons of stormwater per Queens College was awarded $375,000 to retrofit three
year and reduce CSOs to the East River. The production different areas on their campus, which will reduce CSOs
of fresh local produce will create opportunities for urban to Flushing Creek. In total, the project will manage over
agriculture jobs training and volunteerism, education, and 707,000 gallons of stormwater per year through the use of
advocacy. porous concrete and rain gardens that will infiltrate and re-
Forest House was awarded $180,000 to install an integrat- tain water using native plants and trees.
ed cistern system that will manage over 491,000 gallons of

17
The 217 Park Row Co-op The Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Forest House Osborne Association

Queens College

AWISCO

The Brooklyn Navy Yard

The Brooklyn Greenway Initiative Highview Creations New York Restoration Project Geosyntec Consultants

Upon completion, these projects are estimated to man- and neighborhood aesthetic benefits. DEP has renewed
age more than 4.1 million gallons of stormwater each the grant program for 2012, due to the success of its in-
year. Monitoring data from select sites will be collected augural year. Applicants will now be able to submit their
over the next three years to better understand sustain- applications online. DEP hosted application workshops
ability co-benefits such as energy use reduction, pollut- in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island to as-
ant uptake and avoidance, urban heat island benefits, sist in the application process.

18
 Under PlaNYC, the City aims to increase opportunities for recreation on the waterfront. DEP uses landside and water quality models to understand the impacts of proposed development on the
City’s waterbodies.

4 INSTITUTIONALIZE ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT, MODEL IMPACTS,

MEASURE PROGRAM ELEMENTS, AND MONITOR WATER QUALITY
In order to meet the goals of the consent order and Jamaica Bay watersheds to verify the con-
with DEC, DEP will continue watershed-level plan- cepts on a neighborhood scale.
ning assessments to identify new opportunities for
In addition, DEP has committed to spend a min-
green infrastructure, build a foundation for Long
imum of $2 million to construct neighborhood
Term Control Plans (LTCPs), and improve exist-
scale green infrastructure demonstration studies
ing models to better project future water quality
along with an additional $3 million in funding for
conditions in the City’s surrounding waterbodies.
the Green Infrastructure Grant Program over three
Under Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC, the City aims
years. DEP has also committed to moving for-
to increase opportunities for recreation along the
ward with $3.4 billion in grey CSO controls. In
City’s waterfront. In order to do so, DEP contin-
exchange, DEC agreed to eliminate some of the
ues to rely on landside and water quality models
more costly mandated CSO controls that will save
to understand the impacts of proposed capital
approximately $1.4 billion in grey infrastructure
investments as well as new development, popu-
projects and achieve equivalent CSO reductions
lation growth, and climate change on New York
and to defer an additional $2 billion that would
City’s waterbodies.
have been spent on CSO storage tunnels in New-
town Creek and Flushing Bay. This will allow ad-
Institutionalizing Adaptive Management
ditional time to evaluate and implement green
DEP has spent the last year working with DEC to
infrastructure that is anticipated to be more cost
agree to a consent order that adopts many of the
effective and achieve environmental benefits be-
goals of the Plan into a formal commitment from
yond just CSO reduction.
the city to the state. The January 2012 consent
order commits DEP to construct green in- DEC also agreed to an adaptive management ap-
frastructure that will manage stormwater on proach that allows DEP to propose alternative
1.5% of impervious surfaces in combined sewer ways to meet its green infrastructure performance
areas by 2015, 4% by 2020, 7% by 2025, and targets, and to make up for any missed targets by
10% by 2030. The agreement also requires DEP changing its investment and design strategy to re-
to build and monitor green infrastructure on 80 flect current conditions and up-to-date information.
acres across the Newtown Creek, Bronx River,

19
 r School of
American
Studies

Brooklyn School
for Global Studies
PS 261

Playground

PS 38
FDNY

Brooklyn
HS of the Arts
DPR

BPL
HPD HPD
HPD FDNY
FDNY HPD HPD

Gowanus Houses
Wyckoff Gardens FDNY
0 HPD

DPR 3rd Ave

DPR
HPD DPR
NYPD
DPR
Gownaus
Pumping Station (DEP) HPD PS 133 DCAS HPD

RH-034
P 77
BOARD OF EDUCATION PS 9 DPR
Existing GI
Proposed GI HPD Flatbush Ave
DEP
#
* Access Point
HPD
RH-034
Playground
OH-007 DPR
Pump Station
DSNY
#
*
RH034 boundary
OH007 boundary Board of Education
FDNY
Opportunties
Public Schools Board of Education
DPR
Parks
Multi-family Residential
MS 51 BPL
BBG
Public Facilities (DCAS)
5th Ave
MTA / NY State
PS 321
DDC Construction FY02-11
DDC Design FY11+
0 550 1,100 2,200 Feet
Map is frequently updated and may
not reflect most current information
MTA
Subwatershed planning allows DEP to identify opportunities for green infrastructure on existing public facilities and other areas within priority CSO outfalls.

Watershed-Level Planning area and assess the impact of system improve-

DEP is currently performing outfall-specific analy- ments. DEP employs several models to develop
ses to identify drainage areas for near-term imple- CSO and water quality improvement projects in-
mentation of green infrastructure. DEP identified cluding InfoWorks, a model of the city’s hydrology
specific outfalls and related drainage areas based and hydraulics that represents the sewer system,
on several factors including the results of cost- wastewater conveyance, treatment facilities, and
benefits analyses in the Plan, ongoing assess- point discharges of treated and untreated flows
ments of different storms and related frequencies based on surface coverage, topography, and rain-
of CSO events, and continued discussions with fall in delineated drainage areas.
DEC for the development of LTCPs.
In conjunction with this “landside” model, DEP re-
DEP has identified existing public facilities and lies on several water quality models to reflect in-
sections of the right-of-way within the Gowanus water conditions based on different inflows (i.e.,
Canal, Hutchinson River, Flushing Bay, Bronx Riv- combined sewer overflows, stormwater discharg-
er and Newtown Creek watersheds for green infra- es, and overland flow) and physical conditions
structure implementation. DEP is using this data that may affect the chemical and biological attri-
to initiate multiple green infrastructure design and butes of a waterbody. Computer generated water
construction contracts. The results of these anal- quality models incorporate a number of variables
yses will be used to track progress towards the such as wind, tides, solar radiation, pollutant
10% green infrastructure goal and related mile- loads, and deposition of organic matter. In turn,
stones, and to develop watershed-specific ap- water quality models project baseline and future
plication rates for green infrastructure to be used conditions related to bacteria and dissolved oxy-
during future system and water quality modeling. gen concentrations that can be compared to state
water quality standards and limits. DEP employs
Modeling Landside Infrastructure water quality modeling to demonstrate compli-
and Water Quality ance with the Clean Water Act and related fed-
DEP continues to review and adjust model inputs eral and state mandates in place to protect public
in order to accurately reflect actual system and health and safety, and the ecological integrity of
water quality conditions. DEP uses models to proj- waterbodies.
ect current and future conditions within a defined

20
Since 1909, the City of New York has been collecting water quality data in the harbor. In the last year, DEP has increased the number of sampling stations and, for the first time ever, has published
recent and historical water quality data online before submitting reports to the state.

Measuring Program Performance and CSOs tering at over 100 outfalls near beaches and other
Over the past year DEP has continued construct- bathing areas. In 2012, the monitoring system will
ing the new Citywide Collection Facilities Inte- be installed at five regulators with a mean dry flow
grated Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition of at least five million gallons per day to measure
System (CCFISS) which will be operational at over the volume of overflows from outfalls in the com-
100 regulators and CSO facilities, and 95 waste- bined sewer system and report results in real time.
water pumping stations. In the regulator facilities, This system will help DEP optimize the existing
CCFISS employs ultrasonic level sensors in the sewer system, provide more effective notification
different chambers including conductivity sen- to the public, and respond to emergencies.
sors in the tide chambers, float switches on the
overflow bench, and level sensors in the channels. Monitoring Ambient Water Quality
These sensors provide real-time information about The City of New York has collected water qual-
the status and performance of the infrastructure, ity data in the harbor since 1909 through the Har-
and can alert DEP staff of any aberrations to nor- bor Survey Program. This data is used by regula-
mal operation, such as tide gate leakage. While tors, scientists, educators, and citizens to assess
the sensors can indicate whether there is a likely trends and improvements in water quality. Over
overflow, they are not able to determine the ac- the past year, DEP has increased the number of
tual volume of a CSO event. At completion, the sampling stations in the Harbor Survey Program
system will have the capability to remotely con- from 60 in 2010 to 72 in 2011. At each of these
trol sluice gates at 60 regulators and 12 Beach sites, DEP collects data on more than 20 water
Sensitive Pump Stations near the Coney Island, quality parameters including key indicators such
Orchard, and Rockaway beaches, among others. as concentrations of fecal coliform and entero-
cocci bacteria, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll ‘a’,
Research and Development for and Secchi transparency. Every year DEP publish-
Measuring CSOs es a report on water quality throughout the harbor.
In Fall 2011, DEP solicited proposals from con-
In 2011, DEP began posting recent and historical
tractors to develop a real-time monitoring system
water quality data from the survey program online,
to measure the volume of combined sewer over-
in advance of submitting reports to the state.
flows, supplementing and enhancing our teleme-

21
 Commissioner Strickland presenting the NYC Green Infrastructure Plan to stakeholders at the first Green Infrastructure Citizen’s meeting in Winter 2011.

ENGAGE AND ENLIST STAKEHOLDERS IN

5 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
New Yorkers are passionate about their city and Green Infrastructure Citizen’s Group
each day more people are rediscovering the city’s In February 2011, DEP held the first meeting for
beautiful harbor waters. As more people are find- the Green Infrastructure Citizen’s Group. This
ing ways to connect with the city’s waters, DEP open meeting attracted individuals and organi-
is working hard to harness this positive energy, zations who have requested to receive updates
engage the public, and improve water quality by on DEP’s green infrastructure projects. Citizen’s
constructing green infrastructure. Group members receive periodic emails and an-
nouncements in addition to meeting approximate-
Notification Systems ly one to two times a year. DEP held a second
DEP has worked to improve our existing notifica- Citizen’s Group meeting in November 2011. DEP
tion systems, develop new means of communica- will continue to hold public meetings to report on
tion with the public, and engage stakeholders in the progress of green infrastructure throughout
stormwater management in their communities. We the city.
have replaced signs at 410 combined sewer out-
falls at a cost of $1 million with new signs that are Green Infrastructure Steering Committee
easier to read from a distance, have clearer warn- The Green Infrastructure Steering Committee is
ings for wet weather events, and have graphic im- comprised of a cross-section of stakeholders from
ages that convey unambiguous warnings about environmental justice, economic development, ar-
recreational use to English and non-English speak- chitecture and design, real estate, and other inte-
ers alike. gral communities who are experts in stormwater
management related issues in New York City. The
DEP has continued to improve upon its Waterbody Steering Committee meets quarterly and serves
Advisory webpage showing real-time advisories as a liaison between the Citizen’s Group and DEP
for secondary contact for 25 waterbodies in the in order to represent respective ideas and con-
New York Harbor, including plans to integrate our cerns. Agenda items cover a wide range of topics
water body advisories into the Notify NYC system including the proposed Stormwater Performance
to allow users to request notifications about spe- Standard and the creation of a Green Infrastruc-
cific water bodies. ture Vendor Directory.

22
Fostering Stewardship of Green Infrastructure a-Bluebelt program in Staten Island or the
Over the past year, DEP has given multiple pre- MillionTrees Stewardship Corps; and
sentations to elected officials, community boards,
• Working with DOE to create a resource for
and neighborhood groups regarding green in-
teachers who want to create lesson plans
frastructure construction projects and the three
related to green infrastructure, featuring slide
Neighborhood Demonstration Areas. During these
shows, photos, and videos on policy and best
presentations stakeholders have the opportunity
management practices.
to ask questions about green infrastructure.
In addition, DEP notifies property owners of green In 2011, DEP created a website devoted to the
infrastructure construction by: green infrastructure program where the agency
regularly posts and updates information that may
• Meeting with the community;
be useful to the public. DEP keeps and maintains
• Incorporating information on green infrastruc- a Citizens Group/Stakeholder List made up of
ture into project-specific flyers and newsletters; individuals, businesses, institutions, and anyone
else who wants to receive periodic updates from
• Sending letters directly to the abutting property the Office of Green Infrastructure such as public
owners explaining the benefits of green infra- meetings, grant program information/updates,
structure, offering stewardship guidance, and press releases, and other relevant news. DEP is
showing a project map with approximate loca- also creating a Green Infrastructure Vendor Direc-
tions; and tory that will include information on contractors,
architects, landscape architects, designers, green
• Sending postcards to residents within a two-
roof professionals, and firms that offer stormwa-
block radius briefly explaining the benefits
ter management and green infrastructure servic-
of green infrastructure and providing contact
es. This database will be accessible through the
information for questions.
agency’s website and will serve as a resource for
Moving forward, DEP will continue to partner with New Yorkers who want to build green infrastruc-
other City agencies to increase opportunities for ture projects.
stewardship. These partnerships include:
Last year, DEP launched an interactive Green In-
• Collaborating with other City agencies to cre- frastructure Webmap which offered users the abil-
ate a signs and marketing campaign geared ity to see where green infrastructure projects have
to increase the visibility of green infrastructure been constructed across the city. In addition to
systems; being able to search for a project by address, this
webmap allowed users to plot particular types
• Encouraging community groups and neighbor- of green infrastructure technology. Users could
hoods to get involved with existing New York choose to plot blue roofs, cisterms, constructed
City Steward programming such as the Adopt- wetlands (part of the award-
winning Bluebelt system), green
GREEN roofs, pervious pavement instal-
INFRASTRUCTURE
is coming to the neighborhood
lations, rain barrels, rain gardens,
The NYC Department of Environmental Protection is installing
rainwater reuse systems, swales,
bioswales, a type of green infrastructure, in your neighborhood.
Bioswales are larger than regular tree pits and have native plant-
ings. Most importantly, bioswales have inlets to allow curb runoff
and enhanced tree pits.
to flow into the bioswale to water the plants and absorb into the
ground. By diverting this runoff from the sewers, bioswales help
NYC’s rivers and canals become healthier and cleaner.
In January 2012, DEP released
Did You know? an updated version of the web-
map. This update increases user
é A bioswale can treat 1 inch of stormwater runoff from a 3000
square foot area of the street and sidewalk.

é It can collect and filter up to 1870 gallons of potential runoff.

functionality, and offer enhanced
features, such as the ability to
How can you help? “Submit a Project.” That option
é Don’t cut down or remove
the plants!
é Remove litter in the curb!
The inlet and outlet need to
é Don’t place trash and recycling
bags inside the bioswale!
é Curb your pets!
Animal waste is not good
permits users, including govern-
The plants are specially
chosen and will come back
be free and clear to function
properly. If anything is
blocking these areas, please
Piling trash bags inside the
bioswale can damage plants
and soils, which are critical to
for the soils or plants in a
bioswale. Help us keep it ment agencies, not for profit or-
each spring. They are a critical clean and healthy.
part of the bioswale system.
help out and throw it away. the function of the bioswale
system.
Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor
Carter H. Strickland, Jr., Commissioner
ganizations, private citizens, and

23
The updated webmap offers users the ability to submit their own projects and post images.

green infrastructure grant awardees, to submit as elected officials’ offices and via 311. As part
information on their own green infrastructure proj- of the LTCP Public Participation Process, DEP
ects, including location, technology, specifica- will launch a specific CSO LTCP webpage to pro-
tions, and images. These projects will be then be vide information on upcoming Steering Commit-
searchable on the webmap. These upgrades will tee meetings and links to other related programs
offer a more comprehensive view of the invest- and regulatory sites. DEP will also post audio/vi-
ment in green infrastructure across the city and sual presentations for each watershed/waterbody,
will allow DEP to track progress towards our 10% CSO Quarterly Reports, annual GI reports, educa-
reduction in impervious surface goal. tional materials, and pamphlets on this site.

Long Term Control Plans LTCP Submission Schedule

As part of the Long Term Control Plan (LTCP) for
CSOs, DEP will establish and document public Watershed Date Due to DEC
participation and outreach programs that will ac-
tively involve stakeholders in the decision making Alley Creek June 2013
process. By providing a conduit for the evaluation Coney Island June 2014
and incorporation of stakeholder’s recommenda-
tions, DEP shall work with communities from all Hutchinson River September 2014
the CSO impacted waterbodies to share informa-
Flushing Creek December 2014
tion, receive input, and develop and build support
for the proposed plans. Gowanus Canal June 2015
DEP will use a mix of traditional outreach and pub-
Bronx River June 2015
lic education methods and a modern web-based
approach in order to reach as wide an audience Jamaica Bay and Tributaries June 2016
as possible.
Flushing Bay June 2016
During the formation of the LTCPs, DEP will meet
with representatives from community boards as Westchester Creek June 2017
well as local elected officials and their offices. DEP
will also produce educational materials, which will Newtown Creek June 2017
be available in Community Board offices as well Citywide LTCP December 2017

24
Green Infrastructure Case Studies

DEP has been actively installing and monitoring various green infrastructure demonstration studies as
part of its 2007 Jamaica Bay Watershed Protection Plan, the Nitrogen and Combined Sewer Overflow
Environmental Benefit Projects with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and
other green infrastructure initiatives. These demonstration studies provide DEP opportunities to test
different designs and monitoring techniques to then determine the most cost-effective, adaptable, and
efficient green infrastructure strategies that can be implemented citywide.

Since the release of the Plan, DEP has continued to construct several different green infrastructure
systems and has analyzed their performance over the course of a growing season. Already, these sys-
tems have provided information that has influenced siting procedures and the designs of future green
infrastructure systems. The ability to evaluate performance, modify designs, and improve upon existing
green infrastructure is one of the greatest strengths of our adaptive management approach to managing
stormwater.

The following four case studies demonstrate the innovative work DEP is performing in partnership with
other City agencies, academic institutions, and consultants to discover new ways to manage stormwa-
ter using green infrastructure. The information presented in the following four case studies is preliminary
and should not be used to make assumptions about the construction or performance of green infra-
structure systems in New York City. DEP will write more extensive studies for each of the following green
infrastructure systems and will post the studies on the agency’s website.

25
First Generation Bioswales in the Right of Way:
Enhanced Tree Pits and Streetside Infiltration Swales
Background Design
Streets and sidewalks make up 26.6% of land in DEP piloted two different designs of first genera-
combined sewer drainages areas, are generally tion bioswales, Enhanced Tree Pits (ETPs) and
impervious, and represent a significant opportu- Streetside Infiltration Swales (SSISs). Both de-
nity for green infrastructure. Most New York City signs, which look similar to standard tree pits, are
streets are bowed with the high point in the cen- built on sidewalks upstream from catch basins to
ter so that stormwater drains away to the curb. In divert the stormwater out of the gutter through
sewered parts of the city, stormwater runs off im- an inlet. Water pools in the system and infiltrates
pervious surfaces, along the gutter and into catch through the top layer of soil and vegetation. In in-
basins connected to the sewer system. Over the stances where the system cannot contain all of
past two years, DEP has designed, built, and the stormwater, excess water flows through an
tested the first generation of bioswales that were outlet and into the gutter.
designed to fit into tight spaces within the right
The ETPs and SSISs differ significantly from each
of way and to capture stormwater from the curb
other in both size—SSISs are larger than ETPS,
before it enters the sewer, reducing the volume of
and subsurface design—SSISs have one layer of
stormwater directed to WWTPs during wet weath-
soil while ETPs have a top layer of soil and either
er. DEP constructed these bioswales in a variety
gravel, glass, or storage chambers beneath. The
of locations using different design types to evalu-
soil used in both systems has a high sand content,
ate their performance, maintenance requirements,
ranging from 70%-85%. DEP is evaluating these
public reception, and costs. DEP will monitor each
sand and soil variations to determine the soil that
of these pilots for three years and will use these
serves the vegetation’s needs while maintaining
studies to inform future designs.
the highest rates of infiltration.

ETPS are 20 feet long, five feet wide, and 4.5 feet deep. ETPs have two subsurface SSISs are 40 feet long, five feet wide, and 4.5 feet deep, and have only one subsurface
layers: the top layer is made up of two feet of engineered soil, while the bottom layer layer made of engineered soil.
contains 2.5 feet of gravel, recycled glass or storage chambers.

26
When it rains, stormwater runs down the street, into the curb cut, and infiltrates into the soil.

To determine the design storage volume of the Monitoring

different types of technology, DEP assumed that DEP installed a variety of monitoring devices in-
the soil has 20% void space, the glass and gravel cluding pressure transducers to monitor flow into
have 35% void space, and the storage chambers the system, flow turbines to measure flow rates in-
have 100% void space. DEP calculated that ETPs side the inflow/outflow pipes, and piezometers to
with a subsurface layer of glass or gravel can store monitor water level. In order to measure local pre-
up to 954 gallons of stormwater, while those with cipitation, DEP mounted a rain gauge at each site.
storage chambers can store up to 1,626 gallons DEP also installed two sets of soil moisture sensors
of stormwater. SSISs can store between 935 and at each SSIS and one set at each ETP. The addi-
1,346 gallons of stormwater. tional soil moisture sensors and loggers monitor
and measure stormwater capture volume, evaluate
DEP worked with DPR and selected indigenous
water movement within the soil profile, and help
plant species known to tolerate varying soil mois-
DEP understand the overall water balance through-
ture conditions throughout the growing season,
out the systems. Data loggers continuously record
such as Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweetgum), Acer
information from the various monitoring devices
rubrum (Red Maple), Nyssa sylvatica (Black Gum),
and store data for up to 30 days.
and Quercus bicolor (Swamp White Oak). These
plants have performed well during wet periods At the beginning and end of each growing season,
(Summer 2011) and dry periods (Summer 2010). DEP performs hydrant tests at the first generation
bioswales to compare design and actual storage,
Original designs of both the first generation bio-
calibrate the monitoring devices, and ensure that
swales used a cast iron curb plate at the inlet. The
the systems function in the proper manner. To con-
cast iron plate is sturdy, preserves the line of the
duct a hydrant test, the project team opens a hy-
curb, and can bear the weight of cars and trucks
drant above the bioswale and runs the hydrant for
without damage to the curb or the bioswale. How-
a specific period of time at a predetermined flow.
ever, it is expensive and has created some chal-
DEP then evaluates the performance of monitoring
lenges that will be addressed in “Lessons Learned
equipment and the bioswale based on the amount
and Future Research.”
of water directed into the site.

27
 3 0.6

August 9 August 10

2.5 0.5

2 0.4

Precipitation (in.)
Water Level (ft.)

1.5 0.3

1 0.2

0.5 0.1

0 0
10:01 AM 1:21 PM 4:41 PM 8:01 PM 11:21 PM 2:41 AM

Time

Chart 1 - Performance of the Union Street enhanced tree pit before, during, and after a rain event on August 9, 2011.

Performance of siting and designing new green infrastructure

DEP observed the first generation bioswales for systems across the city.
one growing season to allow the vegetation to
Chart 1 illustrates piezometer readings at the
establish before installing the monitoring equip-
Union ETP from 10:00am on August 9th, 2011 until
ment. The performance of each system is specific
4:00am on August 10th and illustrates how these
to its design, the size of the contributing drainage
systems can perform in ideal conditions. Precipi-
area, and conditions of the surrounding site such
tation (blue line) is measured in inches on the right
as height of the water table and surrounding soils
vertical axis and piezometer readings of water lev-
and geology. The size of the drainage area is de-
el in the system (green line) are measured in feet
termined by the area of impervious surfaces that
on the left vertical axis. As the blue bars show, the
channel rain into the system because of elevation
day was relatively dry until the storm from 2:30pm
gradients and direct precipitation onto the site. In
until 5:08pm created a total of 1.25 inches of rain–
general, sites that have larger drainage areas have
a short but relatively intense storm. Water level in
lower capture rates than sites with smaller drain-
the ETP was stable at 0.23 feet from 10:00am on
age areas. The project team purposefully varied the
August 9th until approximately thirty minutes af-
location and size of the drainage areas, to under-
ter the rain started. At that point the water level in
stand the effect on drainage area on capture rates.
the ETP rose quickly to a maximum of 2.57 feet
For example, the drainage area of the Union ETP is
at 5:17pm, just 15 minutes after the peak rainfall.
only one eighth the size of the drainage area of the
Once the rain stopped the water continued to infil-
Eastern Parkway ETP. This process provides DEP
trate into the surrounding soils and by midnight the
with data on the performance of particular designs
water level was down to 0.44 feet; not far from the
relative to the drainage area. In the future, DEP
dry weather baseline.
will use this information to maximize the efficiency

28
 100%

90%

80%

70%
Percent capture (%)

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 7.00 8.00 9.00

Total Precipitation (inches)

Chart 2 - The preliminary performance of 10 enhanced tree pits and streetside infiltration swales over the course of 185 rain events.

The dry weather baseline does not reach zero be- pates that the total percent capture of the system
cause a small amount of water can be trapped in will increase and as a result less stormwater will
the monitoring device even after all of the storm- enter the sewers.
water has infiltrated into the soil.
Though not all systems will perform as exception-
Data from this event is preliminary and unique ally as the Union St. site did from August 9 to Au-
to the design of the ETP and is dependent upon gust 10, DEP has seen encouraging results across
event-specific conditions such as storm duration all of the first generation bioswales. Chart 2 shows
and intensity, prior saturation, and inlet clogging. percent capture of five ETPs and five SSISs for
It is also important to remember that green infra- 185 rain events from Spring 2011 through Sum-
structure should be evaluated as a system and mer 2011. Preliminary results are positive show-
not in isolation. As the city builds more green in- ing mean stormwater capture of 59% and median
frastructure across the five boroughs, DEP antici- stormwater capture of 60%. For precipitation less
than one inch, the systems captured an average
Percent Capture of 10 ETPs and SSISs of 73% of the rainfall and a median of 85% of the
rainfall. The data also suggests that the systems
Rainfall (in.) Mean Median
perform better than anticipated for storms with to-
Below 1.00 73% 85% tal precipitation less than two inches, capturing an
average of 67% of the rain and a median of 69%
1.00-2.00 25% 21% of the rain. As with Chart 1, this data is prelimi-
Above 2.00 14% 12% nary and should not be used to make final conclu-
sions about the performance of pilot and future
Total 59% 60% green infrastructure systems.
Table 1 - Preliminary percent capture of ten ETPs and SSISs.

29
Lessons Learned and Future Research
Design: Throughout the monitoring period, DEP
focused on increasing the volume of stormwater
entering the first generation bioswales by modi-
fying the inlet structure. For example, a signifi-
cant source of under-performance throughout the
monitoring period was attributed to inlet clogging
from litter. To solve this, DEP retrofitted the inlets
so that now they are either a depressed curb or
have had the back-plate on the cast iron curb
pieces modified to allow a minimum of 3” clear-
ance. These modifications have increased the
overall conveyance of stormwater to the under-
ground storage areas while not adversely affect-
ing vegetation.
Litter often clogged the original inlet design, causing stormwater to bypass the ETP
At the Eastern Parkway ETP, DEP incorporated or SSIS completely.
some new ideas and avoided some pitfalls that
were learned from other sites. Specifically, the
modified design moves the inlet catch basin three
feet upstream, deepens the swale to allow more
stormwater to enter, and incorporates a one-foot
diameter spill zone near the end of the system.
This spill zone allows excess water to infiltrate
through stones directly to the subsurface stone
layer prior to exiting the system. This modification
allows more stormwater to infiltrate during periods
of intense rainfall.
Monitoring: In addition to the piezometers used to
measure water level, DEP installed inlet and outlet
boxes fitted with pressure transducers and pipes
at six sites in June 2011 to measure flow in and out
of each system during storm events. The hydrant
After evaluation of the first generation of inlets, DEP replaced some of the inlets with
test revealed that the pressure transducers great- depressed curbs to increase stormwater conveyance into the ETP or SSIS.
ly overestimated the true water capture volume,
while the piezometer water level readings were
much closer to predictions. DEP believes that the
large variance from predictions is due to soil flow
restrictions and back pressure within the pipes
that led to false flow measurements. Based on the
outcome of the calibration tests, DEP decided to
use piezometers as the standard instrument for all
water level monitoring in the first generation bio-
swales. DEP will continue to monitor and regularly
calibrate the system through hydrant tests. At the
beginning and end of each monitoring season, we
intend to perform hydrant flow tests at each site
to ensure that the equipment is working properly
and calibrated to validate and raise confidence in
our monitoring.
At the Eastern Parkway ETP, DEP moved the inlet catch basin three feet upstream.

30
In May 2011, DEP constructed a pilot mini-wetland and bioswale system in the parking lot of an MTA bus depot in Brooklyn.

MINI-WETLAND & BIOSWALE STUDY IN THE SPRING CREEK BUS DEPOT PARKING LOT
Background southern edge. The total drainage area is 28,950
DEP estimates that stand-alone parking lots com- square feet and can generate up to 18,045 gal-
prise 0.5% of all land in combined sewer drainage lons of stormwater per one inch rainfall. To sustain
areas. In addition, most parking lots are com- the wet meadow vegetation, the northern section
pletely impervious and present an opportunity to has an impermeable liner to maintain a water level
capture all of the rain that falls on them with only of at least one foot. The pond can capture and
minor modifications to the lot. In May 2011, DEP store stormwater during a rain event. When the
constructed a pilot mini-wetland and bioswale water level reaches the top of the impermeable
system in the parking lot of a Metropolitan Tran- liner, excess water infiltrates through the soil. The
sit Authority (MTA) bus depot on Flatlands Avenue site also has a solar powered groundwater pump
in Brooklyn. Mini-wetlands are significantly larger that continuously pumps water into the pond to
than most right of way green infrastructure sys- maintain base-flow for the wetland plants.
tems but they offer unique advantages such as
During heavy rains, the system is designed to
the ability to store high volumes of water, absorb
overflow into the linear swale at the southern end
nutrients, and provide ecological benefits such as
running parallel to the street. The overflow swale is
greater local biodiversity.
a shallow basin with three distinct layers. The up-
per layer is a high sand content soil similar to that
Design
used in the other right of way green infrastructure
When it rains, runoff from the parking lot flows
systems. The bottom two layers of the overflow
through catch basins at the perimeter of the lot
swale contain a mix of sand and recycled glass
directly into the bottom of the wet meadow. Once
that provide temporary storage space for storm-
the wet meadow reaches full capacity, the excess
water before the water is naturally absorbed by
water flows through a perforated pipe and into
the underlying soil.
the swale, eventually infiltrating into the soil. This
green infrastructure installation is designed to col- Unlike the soils used in the right of way green in-
lect and treat up to 21,000 gallons of rainwater. frastructure pilots, the sand content used here is
slightly higher and is in the range of 85% to 90%.
The project is separated into two components:
Using similar ecological principles for soil devel-
a 1,700 square foot wet meadow in the northern
opment, the plants used in the wet meadow must
section and a 900 square foot linear swale on the

31
Stormwater runoff from the parking lot flows through catch basins at the perimeter of the lot directly into the bottom of the wet meadow. Once the wet meadow reaches full capacity
the excess water flows through a perforated pipe and into the swale, eventually infiltrating into the soil.

be able to withstand fully saturated soil condi- of, the wet meadow as well as the infiltration of
tions for most of the growing season, while the stormwater into the surrounding soil and swale.
southern portion must be adapted to occasional The project team installed pressure transduc-
saturated soil conditions and drier soil conditions ers using v-notch flow weirs to determine accu-
that may occur during periods of drought. Within rate flow under various conditions. The pressure
the saturated zone, DEP selected indigenous wet- transducer is calibrated to the density of water,
land plant species known to tolerate varying water and records the height of the water above it.
levels throughout the growing season. Within the The team then determines the volume and flow
drier upland areas, DEP chose species that are rate by measuring the heights of the water and
tolerant of occasional saturation and drought. the corresponding width of the V-notch in the
weir. Because of the persistently high water level
Monitoring in the pond (due to well water continuously be-
DEP installed a variety of monitoring devices to ing pumped into the pond), the V-notch has been
measure the flow of water into, and the capacity under water since installation and has not been
useful for measuring flow. For that reason, DEP
used piezometers to determine how much storm-
water was stored by the wet meadow and swale.
The project team also used rain gauges on-site to
measure local precipitation.

Performance
Early data from the wet meadow and swale indi-
cate that the system is functioning well and, un-
like the smaller green infrastructure systems in
the right of way, has a larger buffering capacity for
larger and more intense storms. Over the course
of eight different rain events in Summer 2011, the
system retained a total of 70% of the rainfall. If
we exclude the anomalous 7.33 inches of rainfall
caused by Hurricane Irene (August 27-28, 2011),
Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth Hydrangea) the system captured approximately 77% of all

32
 100

90

80

70
Percent of Rainfall Captured

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Precipitation (in.)

Chart 3 depicts the performance of the wet meadow and swale over the course of eight storms in Summer 2011.

rainfall from the other seven events during the example, exactly 2.06 inches of rain fell on both
summer. In general, the wet meadow and swale August 3 and September 6. On August 3, the rain
are most efficient during prolonged rains with a was relatively intense and lasted for 2.6 hours
total precipitation of two inches or less because and the wet meadow and swale captured 2,699
the stormwater has ample opportunity to infil- gallons of stormwater, approximately 49% of the
trate into the surrounding soil. Yet, it is also bet- total stormwater from the parking lot. On Septem-
ter equipped to handle short bursts of heavy rain ber 6, the rain was less intense and lasted for 11.5
than a right of way green infrastructure system hours, and the wet meadow and swale captured
because the first line of stormwater capture fun- 4,605 gallons, or 84% of the total stormwater from
nels the water directly into the wet meadow. For the parking lot.

Performance of the Wet Meadow and Swale

Date Precipitation (in) Duration (hrs) Stormwater Captured (gal) Percent Rainfall Captured
August 8 2.06 2.6 2,699 49
August 18 1.08 0.4 1,884 66
August 19 1.59 0.4 2,446 58
August 21 0.60 4.9 1,590 100
August 25 0.14 9.2 371 100
August 27 7.33 22.0 4,536 23
September 6 2.06 11.5 4,605 84
September 22 1.59 5.3 3,333 79
Table 2

33
While both the site and the system design are
unique, the data is encouraging and suggests that
mini-wetland systems are a viable tool for stormwa-
ter management in sites that are adjacent to large
impervious areas and meet other constraints like
soil characteristics.

Lessons Learned and Future Research

Design: Despite a topographic survey of the park-
ing lot drainage area, the very subtle grade changes
within the parking lot presented a challenge in de-
fining the actual drainage area. DEP will continue to
visit the site during rain events and will perform hy-
drant tests to observe actual flow patterns to refine
the current drainage area.
The site has a solar-powered groundwater pump
that continuously pumps water into the pond to
maintain base water level for the wetland plants.
The extra well water pumped into the pond is de-
signed to keep the plants and animals alive during
extended period of drought, but it also decreases
capacity to hold stormwater. Continuous pumping
also reduces the capacity of the pond and diminish-
es its ability to accept more stormwater. Prior to the
start of the 2012 growing season, DEP will install a Solar-powered ground water pump
float sensor on the solar pump that will automati-
cally turn-off the pump when the water height in the
pond reaches one foot high. This will maintain the
wetland plant community while increasing the maxi-
mum capacity available for stormwater capture.
Monitoring: DEP has recently installed an innova-
tive sap flow meter that will help measure average
transpiration rates for the various tree species
used in swale systems. The instrument records
the time of the temperature change between two,
non-destructive needle points inserted into the tree
whichmonitor the movement of water. The device
continuously records water-use through the plant
under varying environmental conditions, compen-
sating and re-calculating changes in cloud cover,
wind speed, humidity, and temperature. Data from
the sap flow meter will allow DEP to select vegeta-
tion that processes the most amount of stormwater
through transpiration.

Sap flow meter

34
BLUE ROOF COMPARISON STUDY ON 1201 METROPOLITAN AVENUE
Background ducted to better understand how these systems
In December 2010, DEP constructed a blue roof perform. DEP and a project team of consultants
demonstration pilot at one of our general store- and academics selected 1201 Metropolitan Ave-
house facilities in the Newtown Creek Watershed. nue in Brooklyn, which has a large rooftop with a
Blue roofs can vary in form, but all are designed nearly flat slope across the entire facility. The large,
to capture rainwater and regulate the flow of run- flat roof allows DEP to compare different technolo-
off to the sewer system. Rooftops comprise more gies in separate quadrants. By reducing variability
than half of the impervious surfaces in New York caused by site specific differences and geographi-
City. Blue roofs can be an effective way to manage cal variations in rainfall, this pilot will help DEP
stormwater on many of these rooftops because verify replicable concepts that maximize stormwa-
they are easy to install, lightweight, relatively in- ter storage as well as the constructability of vari-
expensive, easy to maintain, and can be tailored ous blue roof technologies on existing buildings.
to meet the rooftop requirements of various City Throughout the pilot, DEP will identify maximum
agencies. feasible ponding depths and the corresponding
release rates in each of the quadrants. Addition-
DEP believes that blue roofs will prove to be an ef-
ally, DEP will use this pilot to verify the actual per-
fective component of the city’s green infrastructure
formance compared to the designed or theoretical
portfolio. However, more research must be con-
performance of various technologies.

DEP piloted three different blue roof technologies on the rootfop of one of our general storehouse facilities in Brooklyn. The design includes a tray and ballast system, on the left side
of the above image, and an intermediate check dams system, on the right side of the image.

35
Design minute (two-inch ponding depth at the drain),
The 27,500 square foot roof is divided into four along two-inch contours of the roof. The dams are
drainage areas, or quadrants, to measure storage spaced out eight feet along the parallel faces of
volumes and flow rates of three different types of the dams, and about 11 feet along the diagonal, to
blue roof detention technologies. In each of the maximize storage area in the depressions between
three modified quadrants, DEP removed the exist- each check dam and to prevent backwater flow.
ing drain cover and replaced it with a new cover One-inch diameter recycled concrete ballast abuts
and gravel stop. The first quadrant (5,300 SF) is the upstream side of the dams to prevent debris
the control and was left unmodified to provide from clogging the orifice openings.
comparison data.
In the fourth quadrant (10,500 SF), DEP installed
In the second quadrant (5,140 SF), DEP removed a tray and ballast system composed of 1,600 20-
the drain cover and replaced it with a new cover inch by 20-inch aluminum trays, each with four
and gravel stop. DEP also installed a six-inch di- quarter-inch orifices drilled in the bottom to allow
ameter, two-inch tall PVC standpipe with a one stormwater to drain out. Each tray is filled with a
inch orifice, sized to restrict flow rate to a maxi- layer of geotextile fabric, corrugated plastic, and
mum of five gallons per minute. approximately about 2.5 inches of one-inch re-
cycled washed concrete ballast. In between the
In the third quadrant (5,950 SF), DEP installed
trays and the existing roof, DEP installed a layer
two-inch high by 3/8-inch thick aluminum “T”
of corrugated plastic and geotextile fabric to limit
beam dams, each drilled with a series of orifices
the flow to approximately 0.05 gallons per minute
to achieve a design flow rate of five gallons per
when the tray is full.

4
3

The rooftop was divided into four quadrants to study three different blue roof DEP installed a modified drain cover in the second quadrant to control the flow of
technologies in comparison to a control quadrant. stormwater off the roof.

In the third quadrant, DEP installed check dams that restrict the flow of stormwater DEP installed a tray and ballast system in the fourth quadrant that detains stormwater
to the drain by forcing the water to flow through small orifices drilled into each dam. in 1,600 trays before it eventually drains off the roof.

36
Monitoring DEP also measures runoff rates and water storage
DEP installed monitoring equipment on April 1, on three individual trays using weight scales. The
2011 and will monitor each quadrant for 24 months. project team records changes in the weight of the
The project team collects and reviews data for tray along with rainfall and evaporation data to de-
quality control from the monitoring devices on a termine average and peak flow rates, storage vol-
monthly basis. DEP uses both camera recordings umes, and average drawdown times. One of these
and visual observations during and after storms to three trays serves as an evaporation control and
provide visual confirmation of system performance does not have drainage holes.
during a variety of weather conditions and to alert
The area of New York City is more than 450 square
the project team of possible malfunctions which
miles and the three National Oceanic and Atmo-
may occur due to clogging or other circumstances.
spheric Administration certified weather stations
To accurately monitor the flow rate from each sec- located in Central Park, and LaGuardia and John F.
tion of the roof, DEP installed a monitoring de- Kennedy airports often record different amounts of
vice in each drain. The device includes a smaller rainfall from the same rainstorm. For that reason,
pipe within the roof leader and a compression ring DEP installed a weather station in the center of the
which fixes the device in place so it does not fall roof to record weather conditions at five-minute in-
down the leader. Flow is directed into the area tervals, including rainfall intensity, wind speed and
between the annulus and the inside of the leader, direction, temperature, relative humidity and baro-
through orifices drilled in the annulus, and down metric pressure. DEP uses this data in conjunction
the leader. A bubbler tube measures the depth of with the flow and storage data to analyze the per-
water in the space above the compression ring in formance of the blue roof.
1-minute intervals and is used to calculate a total
flow rate through the orifices.

Roof Drain 
Debris Screen

Roof Deck

Inner Annulus 
Pipe Orifice Inner Annulus 
Pipe (Perforated)

Outer Annulus 
Existing Vertical 
Sleeve (solid)
Drain Leader

Bubbler 
Tubing

In order to determine the efficiencies of the different blue roof technologies, DEP installed weight scales in three trays to determine evaporation rates,
DEP installed flow measurement devices in each of the roof drains. drawdown times, and average and peak flow rates.

37
 45 5

April 16 April 17
4.5
40

4
35

Rainfall Intensity (in/hr)

3.5
30
Flow (gpm)

3
Control
25
Modified Inlet
2.5
Trays
20
Check Dams
2

Rainfall intensity (in/hr)

15
1.5

10
1

5
0.5

0 0

2:09 PM 6:57 PM 11:45 PM 4:33 AM 9:21 AM

Time

Chart 4 - Performance of the control, modified inlet, trays, and check dams quadrants during a storm on April 16, 2011.

Performance became less effective as the storm progressed and

Preliminary data show some encouraging results, the intensity increased. For example, the modified
especially in the tray and check dam quadrants. inlet quadrant detained all of the stormwater for
For example, both the check dams and tray quad- the first four hours of the storm, but after 7:00pm,
rants reduce peak flow rates and create a delay in the flow rate more closely resembled the fluctua-
peak outflow rates relative to maximum precipita- tions in rainfall intensity as runoff overtopped the
tion intensity. During a storm on April 16, 2011, modified inlet into the drain.
a total of 1.6 inches of rain fell over the course
The check dam quadrant significantly reduced
of 14.4 hours. Chart 4 illustrates the variation in
outflow at the onset of the storm, but became less
performance of the different blue roof technolo-
effective as the duration and intensity of the storm
gies during this storm. Performance is evaluated
increased. Check dams are particularly effec-
by the rate at which stormwater flows through the
tive at the beginnings of storms and during small
drain in a particular quadrant, as measured in gal-
storms because the depressions between each of
lons per minute.
the check dams can store nearly all of the storm-
As expected, the flow rate of stormwater runoff on water. The check dams become less effective at
the control quadrant mimicked the rainfall inten- reducing flow when there is intense precipitation
sity during the storm. This is because the control that forces the stormwater to crest over the dams
quadrant, like most of the rooftops in New York and flow through the drains.
City, has no design modifications that would de-
On the other hand, the tray system substantially
tain the stormwater before running off the roof.
reduced the runoff flow rates during peak rainfall
The modified inlet quadrant performed well at the intensities and created slow and steady outflow
onset of the storm during low intensity rainfall, but rates once the rain stopped. Unlike the modified

38
inlet and check dams quadrants, the trays quad- ple, a controlled flow roof drain can be used in tan-
rant managed the flow of stormwater through- dem with check dams and trays to enhance roof
out the entire storm, first delaying the flow of performance at a relatively low additional cost.
stormwater off the roof and then maintaining a Data from these additional configurations will be
slow outflow even after the storm concluded. The compared against data currently being collected
performance of the trays quadrant can be attrib- to determine standard designs in the future.
uted to runoff absorption within the geotextile fab-
DEP will also use pilot data to determine whether
ric, detainment of the stormwater within the trays,
different layers or configurations of the geotex-
and evaporation.
tile fabric and protective plastic layers affect flow
Perhaps the most interesting finding is that the rates through the orifices, as these materials can
volume of stormwater flowing out of the tray and be easy to modify based on differences in perfor-
check dam quadrants is significantly less than ex- mance. DEP will assess additional observations
pected and less than measured in the other two and monitoring data from the weighing scales to
quadrants. This volume reduction is comparable determine if the tray system is more or less effec-
to reductions seen in vegetated rooftop technolo- tive depending on the configuration of the geotex-
gies, such as green roofs, that use infiltration or tile fabric and protective plastic.
vegetative uptake and evapotranspiration. DEP
Weather Data: Future research will also analyze
is currently analyzing the data and conducting vi-
the performance of the blue roof technologies in
sual observations to determine whether these vol-
regards to other variables such as temperature,
ume reductions can be attributed to evaporation
relative humidity and barometric pressure, which
or to other conditions of the blue roofs—such as
may have an effect on evaporation rates and other
clogged trays, check dams, or drains from organic
performance metrics. DEP is uncertain about the
matter, the degradation of the blue roof materials,
roof’s performance and operations and mainte-
or damaged or malfunctioning equipment.
nance needs during the winter. Depending upon
the outcome of winter site visits and monitoring
Lessons Learned and Future Research
data, the project team will re-design or modify
Over the course of this past summer, DEP has
equipment as necessary.
learned valuable lessons about the design and
performance of the different blue roof technolo-
gies. Moving forward, DEP will continue to moni-
tor the existing systems and test new strategies to
detain stormwater.
Construction: During the planning process, the
project team took all efforts to procure and use
locally sourced and recycled materials. Recycled
concrete was selected as the ballast material in
the tray system because it possesses the proper
weight-to-volume ratio and its light color keeps
the roof relatively cool. During construction, the
project team washed the material on two separate
occasions to prevent fine particles from degrading
off the concrete and into the drain. The concrete
seems to be performing well to date, but DEP will
continue to monitor the material to ensure that it
does not degrade over time and diminish perfor-
mance of the blue roof.
Design: While this study only researched the per-
formance of one blue roof technology at a time,
in the future DEP will study the performance of a Future research at this site will measure the performance of the different blue roof
combination of blue roof technologies. For exam- technologies year round.

39
BLUE ROOF / GREEN ROOF STUDY ON P.S. 118
Background
Through a partnership with DOE and SCA, DEP
constructed a blue and green roof comparison
pilot project on P.S.118 in St. Albans, Queens in
September 2010. DEP collaborated with Brooklyn Con
trol
Roo
f

College to develop a typical blue roof and a typi-

cal green roof adjacent to a control roof to com-
pare the performance, cost, and maintenance of Roo
f
Blue
blue and green roofs during a three-year period.
Blue roofs work primarily by slowing the flow of
stormwater off the roof, delaying runoff and re- en R
oof
Gre
ducing peak flow to the sewers. Green roofs are
designed to absorb rainwater in the soil until it
can evaporate or be consumed by the vegetation.
Both provide stormwater management benefits
and can be built atop the city’s roofs, which make
up approximately 28% of the impervious surfaces
in combined sewer areas. Rooftops present a sig-
as it passes through the soil medium and to per-
nificant opportunity for stormwater management,
manently retain stormwater through evapotrans-
but there is little research showing the effective-
piration. The design of the green roof is relatively
ness of blue roofs in comparison to green roofs at
simple and is meant to be easily replicable. Start-
the same location.
ing from the bottom up, the project team installed
a root barrier atop the roof membrane to protect
Design against root penetration that could cause leaking.
The pilot at P.S. 118 has three distinct components: Above the root barrier is a drainage mat which
a blue roof, a green roof and a control area, each allows water that percolates through the soil to
approximately 3,200 square feet. DEP designed more easily flow to the roof drains. The green roof
the green roof to temporarily detain stormwater soil is four inches deep and is home to a mix of

Green roofs are designed to absorb rainwater until it can evaporate or be consumed by the vegetation through evapotranspiration.

40
DEP installed a weather station at P.S. 118.

sedum and native plants. DEP chose these plants dium from eroding and a two-foot wide egress of
for their hardiness and for their ability to tolerate light weight pavers to allow access.
droughts. Around the perimeter of the green roof,
The blue roof uses check dams similar to those
DEP installed aluminum edging to keep the me-
constructed on the DEP pilot project at 1201 Met-
ropolitan Avenue in Brooklyn. Check dams are de-
signed to create ponds of stormwater on the roof
that slow the flow of stormwater down the drain
and into the sewer system. Atop the roof, DEP
installed two-inch tall aluminum “T” beam dams,
each drilled with a series of orifices, to slow the
flow of stormwater towards the storm drains. DEP
also installed one-inch diameter gravel on the up-
stream side of each dam to keep the orifices free
from debris and a controlled flow roof drain to limit
ponding at the drain to two inches. The control
area was left unmodified to provide comparison
data for the blue and green roofs.

Monitoring
DEP installed water level loggers at each of the
drains on the roof that monitor the volume of wa-
ter that flows through the drain. Data from these
devices shows the comparative performance of
each of the different types of technology used
on the roof. Brooklyn College developed special
drain insert tubes designed to monitor low flow
rates that are typically a challenge to measure.
At the shallow drain pipes on the control roof the
monitoring team uses a custom V-notch weir to
By building a blue roof and a green roof on the same building, DEP can determine
which technology is most effective at managing stormwater. monitor flow.

41
 1400

0.14

1200

0.12

1000

0.10
Cummulative Runoff Volume

800

Rainfall intensity (in/hr)

0.08
Control

Green Roof
600
0.06
Blue Roof

Rainfall intensity (in/hr)

400
0.04

200 0.02

0 0.00
2:59 3:39 4:19 4:59 5:39 6:19 6:59 7:39 8:19 8:59 9:39 10:19 10:59 11:39 12:19 12:59 13:39 14:19 14:59

Time

Chart 5 - Performance of the control, green and blue roofs during a rain storm on July 29, 2011.

For the same reasons that a weather station was green and blue roofs are performing well. Over the
installed at 1201 Metropolitan Avenue, DEP also course of these 12 rain events the green roof cap-
installed a full weather station capable of measur- tured 70% of all the rain that fell on it; an average
ing precipitation, temperature, wind speed and di- of 1,047 gallons each rain event. Over the same
rection, barometric pressure, solar irradiance and 12 rain events, the blue roof detained the storm-
humidity on the roof, and soil moisture and tem- water on the roof for an average of 3.7 hours.
perature. For comparative purposes, the project
Chart 5 shows the cumulative runoff from each
team placed multiple moisture sensors and tem-
of the three sections of the P.S. 118 pilot during
perature sensors at different locations and depths
a rainstorm on July 29, 2011. As expected, the
of the green roof and blue roof. To prevent vibra-
flow of stormwater runoff through the control dam
tions and distortions in measurement, DEP in-
increased sharply when the rain began. The blue
stalled the weather station on a 4’X4’ wood base
roof delayed the flow of stormwater for approxi-
on top of an anti-vibration pad.
mately 40 minutes after the rain began, but did
not reduce the amount of stormwater that flowed
Performance
through the drain. This is expected, as the blue
Preliminary data from the P.S. 118 pilot indicates
roof is designed to detain, not retain, stormwa-
that both the blue and green roof systems are
ter. The green roof, however, delayed the runoff
performing as expected. The difference between
of stormwater through the drain for nearly as long
the runoff volume for the two types of roofs is the
as the blue roof, and captured more than 1,000
result of two differing detention techniques em-
gallons of stormwater during the rain event. The
ployed by blue and green roofs.
cumulative runoff from the blue roof was greater
Preliminary data collected for 12 rain events be- than the cumulative runoff from the control roof
tween July and November 2011, with precipitation because it is slightly larger.
totals of less than two inches, suggest that the

42
However well the green roof retains stormwater
when dry, the data shows that it retains significantly
less when wet. For example, the same amount of
rain fell on both August 21 and September 23. On
September 23 the green roof captured 1,960 gal-
lons of stormwater, while on August 21 the green
roof captured only 623 gallons of stormwater.
Prior to the rainfall on September 23, no rain had
fallen for 17 days, while it had rained only six days
before the rain event on August 21. The difference
in volume captured can likely be explained by the
relative saturation of the green roof on August 21. Green roofs have higher maintenance costs because they require weeding, replanting,
and irrigation.
Green Roof Performance effectiveness of blue and green roofs. Ongoing
Days Since Gallons maintenance issues on the green roof include
Date weeding, replanting, and irrigation. Likewise, the
Prior Rainfall Captured
orifices distributed along the check dams have re-
Aug21 6 623 sulted in prolonged ponding on certain sections of
Sept 23 17 1960 the blue roof and have required DEP to frequently
clean the trapped sediment and organic matter.
Lessons Learned and Future Research DEP will regularly visit P.S. 118 during the winter to
Design: To optimize storage volume and retention determine operations and maintenance needs on
benefits on rooftops, blue and green roofs require both roofs as well as the differences between blue
flat roofs. However, existing roofs are typically and green roof performance during freezing tem-
constructed with slopes that must be mitigated peratures and different storm events. Depending
during the design. As a result, the depth of the on winter site visits and monitoring data, design or
green roof was designed to vary and average four equipment modifications may be necessary.
inches across the roof surface. The blue roof was
Weather data: DEP would like to assess the per-
designed with intermediate check dams to slow
formance data in comparison to other weather
flow across the roof’s two percent slope. Various
data in addition to precipitation volume and rate,
ponding depths are therefore anticipated on both
such as wind speed and direction on outflow rates
roof surfaces.
and temperature, relative humidity, and baromet-
Installation: DEP had to reroof the rooftops below ric pressure on evaporation on blue roofs and the
both the blue and green roofs at P.S. 118. During function of soil media and vegetation on green
this upgrade, DEP added the required insulation roofs. The team will also assess climatic data to
to the roof per SCA codes and requirements. The determine if there are any differences between
finished roof surface level was elevated a couple of blue and green roofs related to cooling and urban
inches above the existing elevation which created heat island.
an unanticipated depression around the drains on
Cost-benefit analysis: While preliminary data sug-
the blue roof. To resolve this, DEP added dams
gests greater benefits may be associated with
around the edges of the depression to control that
green roofs given the retention function of soil
flow around the drains. Since then, both the blue
media and vegetation, DEP must compare these
and green roofs appear to be performing as de-
benefits to the costs of design, construction, and
signed and DEP anticipates no additional modifi-
maintenance. In particular, blue roofs may demon-
cations. Similar to the blue roof pilot at 1201 Met-
strate consistent and effective release rates dur-
ropolitan Avenue, DEP will continue to monitor
ing multiple storms and at lesser costs compared
key components of the different roofs.
to green roofs. Additional data will provide flow
Maintenance: DEP is currently documenting the rates for different rainfall events to compare the
maintenance requirements of both roofs to bet- cost-effectiveness of both blue and green roofs.
ter understand these costs when comparing the

43
Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor
Carter H. Strickland, Jr., Commissioner