Implementation of the New York City Wastewater Resiliency Plan: Opportunities And Lessons Learned

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1 Implementation of the New York City Wastewater Resiliency Plan: Opportunities And Lessons Learned Pinar Balci, Ph.D. Director, Bureau of Environmental Planning and Analysis NYC Department of Environmental Protection

2 NYC s Combined and Separate Systems 1.2 billion gallons of wastewater treated each day 2 x design dry weather flow in wet weather 14 wastewater treatment plants 96 pumping stations 4 CSO storage facilities 7,500 miles of sewer pipes 426 combined sewer overflow (CSO) outfalls 357 DEP owned stormwater outfalls NYC s Combined Sewer Area 2

3 Impervious Surfaces & Dense Landscapes Impervious surfaces cover 72% of NYC s land area 3

4 Climate Variability and Change Recorded Data Climate Projections Air temperature Projected Climate Change (Mean annual changes) 25 th to 75 th percentile 90 th percentile 2020s +2 to 3 deg F +3 deg F 2050s +4 to 5.5 deg F +6.5 def F Precipitation 2020s 0 to +10 percent +10 percent 2050s +5 to 10 percent +15 percent Sea level rise 2020s 4 to 8 inches 11 inches 2050s 11 to 24 inches 30 inches New York City Panel on Climate Change. Climate Risk Information

5 Planning for Climate Change DEP is planning for climate change, from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to preparing for the impacts of extreme weather to drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. 5

6 NYC Resiliency Initiatives Includes more than 250 initiatives at $19.5B: Coastal Protection Buildings Utilities Water and Wastewater Other Critical Networks Approx. $5B (90% funded) to: Protect wastewater facilities Improve/expand drainage Promote redundancy/flexibility of water supply system 6

7 Integrated Approach Water Energy NEXUS Goal: Integrated Climate Resiliency Program Multiple DEP initiatives have climate resiliency co-benefits: DEP s Green Infrastructure Program DEP s Water Demand Management Program Direct uptake/reduction of pollutants (e.g., wetland restoration, changes to the NYC air code) New Study for quantifying GHG impacts is important for steering future direction of these programs and developing an integrated Climate Change Program Image source: Pacific Institute 7

8 NYC Wastewater Resiliency Plan 1) Climate Analysis: What future climate and storm surge conditions should NYC prepare for? 2) Risk Analysis: What are the critical flood pathways? What buildings and assets are at risk? What is the value of assets at risk? 3) Adaptation Analysis: What protective measures should be implemented to reduce risk while balancing resiliency and cost? 8

9 Resiliency Plan: Adaptation Strategies Elevate Equipment on pads or platforms, to a higher floor, to the roof, or to a new elevated building. Flood-Proof Equipment by replacing pumps with submersible pumps and installing watertight boxes around electrical equipment. Install Static Barrier across critical flood pathways or around critical areas. Seal Building with water-tight doors and windows, elevating vents and secondary entrances for access during a flood event. Sandbag Temporarily around doorways, vents, and windows before a surge event. Install Backup Power via generators nearby or a plug for a portable generator. Does not protect equipment but facilitates rapid service recovery. 9

10 Resiliency Plan: Summary of Costs $1.1 Billion of vital infrastructure is at risk Investing $315-$426 Million in construction of strategic fortification can save the City $2.5 Billion in emergency response costs over the next 50 years 10

11 Steps to Implementing the Resiliency Plan 1 Create and apply resiliency design standards 2 Incorporate resiliency into existing projects where possible 3 Identify and secure funding for remaining projects 4 Develop and execute contracting mechanisms 11

12 Step 1: Design Guidelines Nov. 2013: Design Guideline for Crucial Equipment adopted: 100-year Base Flood Elevation (BFE) plus 30 inches, except when: 500-year BFE higher and cost increase is insignificant Local site drainage layout higher than 100 year BFE plus 30 inches is required Currently developing Design Guideline Reference Document 12

13 Step 2 Existing Projects: Newtown Creek Status: Completed Flood Protection Cost: $65,000 13

14 Step 2 Existing Projects: Hannah Street Status: Flood Protection Cost: In Design $TBD 14

15 Step 3 Funding: Federal Sources Leverage post-sandy storm funds: FEMA 406/428: damaged facilities Up to 100% of damage cost, or BCA Could range from $15M - $100M+ FEMA 404: damaged or undamaged Through competitive grant process $4M project in review Storm Mitigation Loan Program (SMLP) EPA Clean Water State Revolving Fund $156M allocated to NYCDEP Additional capital investment 15

16 Step 3 Funding: SMLP Storm Mitigation Loan Program (SMLP): Administered by the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) NYCDEP Allocation: $156M out of $340M available 75% zero-interest loan, 25% grant Major Deadlines: Sept. 2016: Financing Agreement Scopes, cost estimates and env. review July 2019: Funds Disbursed Construction can continue if other funds 16

17 Step 4 Contracting: Timeline SMLP deadlines require aggressive contract timelines: Set up to implement majority of resiliency projects Potentially utilizing other funding sources (FEMA, Capital, etc.) and continuing after SMLP deadlines Program Management for coordination, JOC to expedite CONTRACT Program/ Construction Mgmt Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Design Construction JOC v v RFP/SCOPE NOTICE TO PROCEED PROGRAM SETUP PROGRAM MONITORING/CM Sept. 2016: SMLP Financing Agreement July 2019: SMLP Funds Spent 17

18 Conclusions and Lessons Learned Proactive resiliency planning is critical understanding risks and having a plan in place ahead of time Climate change is uncertain but there are straightforward approaches to balance risk and resiliency Seek ways to achieve multiple environmental goals by developing grey and green approaches through resiliency lens 18

19 QUESTIONS? Contact: nyc.gov/dep/climatechange 19