Raindrops on Rooftops

It takes only one-tenth of an inch of rainfall to overwhelm New York City’s sewer system, which as a result sends 27 billion gallons of raw sewage into New York Harbor each year. Though the system was designed to carry storm water as well as waste, the Big Apple has gotten a bit too big for its aging infrastructure.

In January, New York joined other cities, such as Portland, Oregon, and Milwaukee, that have adopted policies promoting green infrastructure, which diverts and absorbs storm water before it reaches the sewer system. NRDC worked closely with the New York City Council to craft a law that requires the city to develop plans for green rooftops on city buildings; the restoration of metropolitan area wetlands; landscaped sidewalks and streets with larger, deeper soil and plant areas; and the use of permeable pavement that allows water to percolate into the underlying soil. NRDC will stay involved as plans are developed.