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NYC Sewersheds: Our Urban Water Cycles
The document discusses NYC's sewer and wastewater system. It notes that NYC has a combined sewer system in many areas, which can overflow into waterways during rainstorms, discharging untreated sewage. It discusses the 14 "sewersheds" that collect wastewater across NYC's five boroughs and the 434 combined sewer overflow points. The document also summarizes strategies to reduce combined sewer overflows, such as separating sewer lines, expanding treatment plants, and using green infrastructure to absorb and filter stormwater.
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NYC Sewersheds: Our Urban Water Cycles
- 1. NYC Sewersheds: OurUrban Water Cycles gil lopez Fall 2020
- 2. Land Acknowledgement/Tribal Recognition Iacknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I live, work and play. In this, I make you all aware that the issues and work I will discuss today refers to activities that have and are taking place on the traditional lands of the Lenape Peoples. While colonization has largely extirpated these peoples, I recognize their continuing connection to land, water and community and I pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. My intention today is that this presentation will help bring honor and dignity back to lands and waters of Lenapehoking.
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- 6. Discharge from Combined SewageOverflow A combined sewer overflow (CSO) is the discharge from a combined sewer system that is caused by snowmelt or stormwater runoff. Combined Sewers are sewer systems that collect stormwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater in the same pipe and bring it to the wastewater treatment facility. They are designed to overflow during wet weather. During rain events, when stormwater enters the sewers, the capacity of the sewer system may be exceeded and the excess water will be discharged directly to a waterbody (rivers, streams, estuaries, and coastal waters) There are currently 434 CSOs in NYC.
- 8. Clean Water Act TheClean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. The basis of the CWA was enacted in 1948 and was called the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, but the Act was significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972. "Clean Water Act" became the Act's common name with amendments in 1972. 33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq. (1972)
- 9. Clean Water Act TheClean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. The basis of the CWA was enacted in 1948 and was called the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, but the Act was significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972. "Clean Water Act" became the Act's common name with amendments in 1972. 33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq. (1972) Because of combined sewage overflow, NYC has never been in compliance of the Clean Water Act
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- 14. About half ofthe City's land area is in separately sewered, unsewered, or direct discharge areas. Of the sewered areas in the city, about 40 percenthave separate storm sewers or direct drainage, and the rest are served by the combined sewer sytem.
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- 16. There are 434 Combined Sewage Overflows In NYC SomeCSO outfalls discharge pollution very infrequently or in small amounts. Others overflow practically every time it rains, dumping polluted wastewater entering the estuary. These 15 (out of 434) CSO outfalls in the five boroughs are responsible for 50% of the total volume of CSO pollution that is released each year.
- 17. So where doesYour Toilet Flush to? In other words, what is your "sewershed?" Every day, New Yorkers discharge 1.5 billion gallons of liquid waste into the sewer system, which navigates 6,000 miles of pipe towards two possible futures: decontamination at a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) or directly into our waterways as combined sewer overflow (CSO).
- 18. In other words,what is your "sewershed?" Every day, New Yorkers discharge 1.5 billion gallons of liquid waste into the sewer system, which navigates 6,000 miles of pipe towards two possible futures: decontamination at a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) or directly into our waterways as combined sewer overflow (CSO). … but it’s not just your toilet So where does Your Toilet Flush to?
- 19. In other words,what is your "sewershed?" Every day, New Yorkers discharge 1.5 billion gallons of liquid waste into the sewer system, which navigates 6,000 miles of pipe towards two possible futures: decontamination at a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) or directly into our waterways as combined sewer overflow (CSO). … but it’s not just your toilet Household Cleaners & Solvents So where does Your Toilet Flush to?
- 20. So where doesYour Toilet Flush to? In other words, what is your "sewershed?" Every day, New Yorkers discharge 1.5 billion gallons of liquid waste into the sewer system, which navigates 6,000 miles of pipe towards two possible futures: decontamination at a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) or directly into our waterways as combined sewer overflow (CSO). … but it’s not just your toilet Household Cleaners & Solvents Commercial Waste
- 21. So where doesYour Toilet Flush to? In other words, what is your "sewershed?" Every day, New Yorkers discharge 1.5 billion gallons of liquid waste into the sewer system, which navigates 6,000 miles of pipe towards two possible futures: decontamination at a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) or directly into our waterways as combined sewer overflow (CSO). … but it’s not just your toilet Household Cleaners & Solvents Commercial Waste Industrial Waste
- 22. CSO Impacts Discharge Watercan contain high levels of suspended solids, toxic chemicals, floatable material and other pollutants. Avoid contact while recreating within waterbodies with a CSO during or following rain or snowmelt. CSO discharges can cause: • Human and animal health hazards • Water quality impacts • Bathing beach closures due to bacterial contamination • Aesthetic impacts due to floating debris or oil slicks • Shellfishing bed closures • Algae growth • Reduced oxygen levels in the water
- 25. Lets Take aLook http://www.newtowncreekalliance.org/combined-sewer-overflow/
- 27. Reducing CSOs As partof the permittees long-term control plan, municipalities present options to reduce the frequency and volume of CSO discharges. However these options can be expensive and may be cost prohibitive for some communities. Some options include: • Separating stormwater and sewer lines • Installing storage tanks to hold overflow during storm event • Expanding wastewater treatment capacity • Creating retention basins to hold overflow during storm events • Screening and disinfecting the overflow • Using green infrastructure to reduce stormwater flows • Don’t use lots of water during a wet weather event
- 30. Cooking grease…wet wipes…and lotsof other stuff…get flushed down the sewers creating fatbergs that clog pipes and drain wallets. You can keep things running smoothly by properly disposing of these items. Learn more at fatbergfree.nyc.
- 33. Apply Compost Compost is spongyand absorbent. Mixing compost into the first few inches of soil aerates compacted soils and greatly increase the amount of water that soils will absorb.
- 35. Grey Infrastructure Typically refers totraditional infrastructure such as sewers, tunnels, and wastewater treatment plants. Expanding grey infrastructure and making better use of existing grey infrastructure enables us to store and treat more stormwater runoff. This reduces the occurrence of CSOs, helping keep untreated sewage and other pollutants out of our waterways.
- 37. Practices designed andconstructed to manage stormwater runoff when it rains. Green infrastructure slows down, absorbs, and filters stormwater runoff before it can enter the sewer system or local waterbodies. This helps reduce the occurrence of combined sewer overflows and the amount of pollution carried by stormwater runoff.
- 43. Blue Roof Blue roofsare non- vegetated source controls that detain stormwater, either releasing it more gradually to the sewer system or storing it for beneficial reuse.
- 45. Thank You ForTuning In!