New York City's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Design and Construction (DDC) have commenced the installation of seven miles of porous pavement along Brooklyn roadways. The project, managed under a $32.6 million contract, aims to improve stormwater management and is slated for completion by fall 2025.
Porous pavement, which allows water to seep through and be naturally absorbed into the ground, is strategically placed to prevent approximately 35 million gallons of stormwater from entering the combined sewer system annually. This innovation not only mitigates flooding but also protects the health of New York Harbor by reducing sewer overflows.
DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala said: "Climate change is bringing rainstorms that can overwhelm our sewers and cause widespread flooding. Investing in tools like porous pavement will divert rainwater away from the sewer system, easing pressure during future storms."
DDC Commissioner Tom Foley added: "Porous pavement is a key part of our green infrastructure strategy. This installation, the largest in the city’s history, will prevent millions of gallons of stormwater from overwhelming our sewer system annually."
New York City’s extensive drainage system, with around 7,500 miles of sewers and 150,000 catch basins, forms the backbone of the city's stormwater management. Over the past decade, DEP has built the nation's largest Green Infrastructure Program, which intercepts stormwater before it enters the sewers, helping to reduce flooding and backups. This program includes over 13,000 installations such as rain gardens, permeable pavers, and green roofs.
Porous pavement is installed along street curb lines, where stormwater typically drains towards catch basins. It is robust enough to support motor vehicles, including trucks. Although it can't be installed on every block due to existing infrastructure conflicts, soil samples are taken to ensure suitability before construction begins. The process involves removing the existing roadway to a depth of about 24 inches, adding drainage cells and stone for storage and support, and laying porous concrete slabs on top.
Later this year, contracts are expected to extend the use of porous pavement to other Brooklyn neighborhoods and communities in the Bronx, with additional plans underway for Queens.
