On April 17, 2024, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Trust for Public Land (TPL) announced that construction has commenced on the five new Green Infrastructure playgrounds at schools in Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. The playgrounds are designed to absorb more than 3.5 million gallons of stormwater every year to curb runoff that floods nearby streets and overwhelms local sewer systems in addition to polluting the East River.
Department of Environmental Protection
DEP Begins Enforcement Push Against Delinquent Water Accounts
On February 13, 2024, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced new enforcement efforts to collect a total of $124 million owed by chronically delinquent water service accounts. The agency categorizes approximately 2,900 accounts as chronically delinquent. Previously, the agency ran a temporary amnesty program that allowed New Yorkers to pay off their water bill debts without interest and in addition granted $8 million in billing credits to low-income accounts. This saved … <Read More>
DEP Reports Customers Saved Over $2.1 Million Through Autopay Enrollment Initiative
On November 21, 2023, the Department of Environmental Protection announced that customers who enrolled in autopay through the autopay enrollment incentive program saved over $2.1 million. Autopay allows customers to pay bills automatically, preventing future delinquencies.
DEP Announces Completion of Green Infrastructure Changes Around Jamaica Bay
On September 6, 2023, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the completion of a project to install new green infrastructure to help absorb stormwater and reduce chronic flooding to help Jamaica Bay.
Jackie Robinson Park Playground Tennis Courts Receive a Million Dollar “Green” Makeover
On June 23, 2023, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Parks Department, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) announced the completion of newly renovated tennis courts at Jackie Robinson Park in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The DEP-funded project necessitated $1,000,000 in capital and involved painting the courts vibrant purple and blue colors, upgrading them with new surfacing and nets, and installing green infrastructure.
City Releases Results of Water Bill Amnesty Program
On June 1, 2023, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection announced the results of the water bill amnesty program following the program’s end on May 31st. The water bill amnesty program allowed New Yorkers with outstanding water bills to pay a portion or whole of the owed principal of the water bill to have the outstanding interest forgiven.