On August 12, 2024, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection appointed three Borough Commissioners for the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. The Borough Commissioners will serve as chief liaisons for elected officials, stakeholders, and community members to address environmental issues within each borough. They will also help oversee the advancement of capital projects, the monitoring of air and noise issues, and working with local, state and federal agencies as needed.
Department of Environmental Protection
DEP Launches Lead Service Line Replacement Program in the Bronx
On July 24, 2024, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection announced the commencement of a free lead service line replacement program. This program involves replacing privately-owned water service lines made of lead or galvanized steel at eligible properties in the Bronx. Property owners are responsible for the maintenance of their property’s service lines that connect directly to the City’s water mains. Service line replacements cost roughly over $10,000. This $24 million project is … <Read More>
DEP Announces Drainage and Green Infrastructure for Five City Playgrounds
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.
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.