After Sandy
On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy made landfall in New Jersey, pushed water up the New York Bight to the City, and caused a record 14-foot storm surge. DEP employees heroically worked through the storm clearing flooded roadways, treating wastewater, securing our infrastructure, and preparing for the daunting tasks we faced in the aftermath. More than 1,100 DEP employees lived in the flood zones and were directly affected by the storm but, nonetheless, worked tirelessly through many long days and nights to secure the city. In the days following Sandy, our crews were on the front lines of the recovery effort, clearing downed trees and other debris, pumping flood waters, providing drinking water to residents in Breezy Point, monitoring air quality, and helping other utilities restore power and water to millions of New Yorkers.
In many ways, Hurricane Sandy confirmed what we already knew — climate change is causing sea levels to rise and increasing the intensity of coastal storms. As we mark another Sandy anniversary and salute the hard work of so many DEP employees both during the storm and in the days and weeks that followed, we also measure our progress in hardening our facilities against a changing climate.
As part of the New York City Wastewater Resiliency Plan, DEP is investing approximately $400 million to safeguard equipment and minimize disruption in critical services at our wastewater facilities. This work includes cost-effective measures, such as elevating equipment, waterproofing buildings, and replacing traditional pumps with submersible pumps. Work has already been completed at the Manhattan and Gowanus Canal Pumping Stations, and is currently underway at the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant. Work will begin shortly at the Tallman Island and Wards Island Wastewater Treatment Plants, while upgrades are being designed for several other facilities.
As we complete each of these upgrade projects, our wastewater system becomes more resilient and New York City is better prepared for a changing climate.
