Green infrastructure

Stewardship

The Issues

Combined Sewer Overflow

Most of Flushing Waterways is part of the NYC combined sewer system where the pipes that move our sewage are connected to the pipes that move our rainwater. When it rains, the combined system is overwhelmed by rainwater and our combined sewer overflow (CSO) pipes discharge the excess sewage into our waterways without being treated at a wastewater treatment plant. As a result, homes and streets flood during heavy rainfall and over two billion gallons of raw sewage and polluted stormwater pour into Flushing Waterways every year.

In Flushing Waterways, only 1/10th of an inch of rain overwhelms the sewer system. While gray infrastructure (tanks and tunnels) is an important aspect of CSO management, green infrastructure (specially designed green roofs, rain gardens and parks) absorbs rainwater before it overwhelms the system. Green Infrastructure also offers multiple co-benefits to local communities.

Co-Benefits of Rain Gardens

Our Initiatives

Rain Gardens

In response to the need for an improved approach to GI rain garden maintenance, a group of stewardship and green job training organizations developed the Rain Garden Action In Neighborhoods (RAIN) Coalition, a pilot approach for community-led rain garden stewardship of City-owned GI.

In close coordination with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, the RAIN Coalition maintains scores of rain gardens across four watersheds. As a RAIN member, GoFB partners with Corona Arts and Sciences Academy, a public middle school in Corona, to steward ten neighborhood rain gardens.