DEP - Water

Bull riveter in operation, January 24, 1913.

HomeA to Z IndexWater and Sewer Bills - How You Are Billed - Meter Readings - Customer Account Information - Frequently Asked Questions - Property Management and Trade ProfessionalsWays to Save Water - Dos and Don'ts of Water Conservation - Leaks and Their Cost Fact Sheet - Seven Steps to a Water-Saving Garden - Water Saving Tips For Lawns - Water Use RestrictionsDrinking Water - Reservoir Levels - Drinking Water Supply and Quality Report - Groundwater System - Cryptosporidium and Giardia Background Information and Monitoring Program - Waterborne Disease Risk Assessment Program (WDRAP) - Water Supply System Maps - Drinking Water Sampling Stations - History of New York City's Water Supply System - Drought and Water ConsumptionHarbor Water - Floatables Reduction Program - Nitrogen Control - Significant Noncompliance List - Preventing Fats, Oils, and Grease Discharges Into Sewers - Pump Out Stations - Protecting the Harbors - North River Wastewater Treatment Plant - Biosolids Beneficial Use Program - Harbor Water Quality SurveyAir and Noise - Air Monitoring in Lower Manhattan - Certified Asbestos Investigators, Asbestos Contractors, and Air Monitoring Firms - Asbestos Rules and Regulations - Asbestos FormsWatershed ProtectionEnvironmental Education - Water Conservation Art & Poetry Contest - Newtown Creek Nature Walk Scavenger Hunt - Educational Resources for Students and Teachers - Guide to Supplemental Water Education Programs - Activities - Great Books and Web Sites - New York City Water Saver's Workbook - Living Harbor Wet Lab - Celebrating New York City's Clean Drinking WaterJob OpportunitiesAbout DEP - Commissioner's Statement - Bureaus and Offices - Citywide Accountability Program - DEP Projects - Environmental ReviewsForms and Permits News - Press Releases - Public Notices - News ArchiveContact Us


	Harbor Water Wastewater Treatment System An in depth look at New York City's wastewater treatment process. Topics include the testing of New York City waterways, pollution control programs, beneficial use of biosolids, and how you can make a difference. History of New York City Water Wastewater Treatment Process Beneficial Use of Biosolids How Biosolids Are Used How New York City Protects Its Water Environment Environmental Concerns Pollution Control Programs Diagram of Treatment Process How You Can Make a Difference Map of New York City Plant Locations and Capacities New York City Wastewater Treatment Plants DEP Sludge Vessels Wastewater Treatment Plants Before Modernization Wastewater Treatment System Brochure (PDF) Owl’s Head Wastewater Treatment Plant Health Study DEP is making improvements to reduce odors at the Owl’s Head Water Pollution Control Plant in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. During 2007, an odor assessment was performed by a DEP consultant, Malcolm Pirnie, to identify odorous processes. Also in 2007, a health impact study was done by RJ Lee under the direction of the City Council. DEP has a multi-million dollar commitment to continue reducing odors from the plant over the next few years. RJ Lee Health Study Malcolm Pirnie’s Odor Survey Newtown Wastewater Treatment Plant Digester "Eggs" On June 2, 2008, DEP Commissioner Emily Lloyd joined members of the Newtown Creek Monitoring Committee to celebrate the lighting of the digester "eggs" at the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in Brooklyn. View a photo slideshow of the illuminated eggs Read the press release Floatables Reduction Program Floatables are water-borne litter and debris that ends up in the City's storm drains and sewers, and can be discharged into surrounding waters during certain storm events. DEP conducts a number of activities aimed at controlling and reducing floatables. Learn More Nitrogen Control DEP has been implementing programs to address the discharge of Nitrogen from the City's water pollution control plants into the waters surrounding New York City. Learn More Hypoxia Significant Non-compliance List DEP is required to publish a list of establishments in New York City that were in significant non-compliance with pretreatment standards and other wastewater requirements. Learn More Preventing Fats, Oils, and Grease Discharges Into Sewers Residential and commercial guidelines for preventing the discharge of fats, oil grease into public sewers. Learn More Pump Out Stations New York Harbor is at its cleanest level in 100 years. To maintain this degree of water quality, most of New York’s marine and inland waters are designated as No Discharge Areas, where it is illegal for boaters to discharge sewage within these waters. Instead, boaters must use one of 12 New York City pump out stations to dispose of their waste. Learn More Protecting the Harbors New York Harbor is making a comeback and the signs are all around. According to the City's most recent Harbor Survey Report, the Harbor is cleaner now than at any time in the last 50 years. Continued improvements to sewage handling and treatment are chiefly responsible for continued improvements to water quality, which have led to increased recreational opportunities such as swimming and fishing. DEP conducts numerous programs designed to maintain this trend. The DEP operates 14 sewage treatment plants that together treat around 1.3 billion gallons of sewage each day, and the agency also employs a fleet of boats that are used to monitor the waters and the shoreline for water quality and sources of pollution. Read more North River Wastewater Treatment Plant Read about the North River Water Pollution Control Plant, New York City's wastewater treatment facility with a state park on its roof. Learn More Biosolids Beneficial Use Program New York City produces approximately 1,200 tons of biosolids every day from its fourteen water pollution control plants. In 1988, ocean disposal of biosolids was banned by the federal government and New York City was required to find alternative land-based use for this material. Recognizing the value of biosolids, the DEP implemented a program to beneficially use biosolids. Today, the City's biosolids are used to fertilize crops, and improve soil conditions for plant growth. Learn More Harbor Water Quality Survey The City of New York has been collecting water quality data in New York Harbor since 1909. These data are utilized by regulators, scientists, educators and citizens to assess impacts, trends and improvements in the water quality of New York Harbor. Read more Interactive Water Quality Feature