City Planning Commission Unveils New Disinfection Facilities to Combat Flushing Creek Pollution

During a recent City Planning Commission (CPC) meeting held on December 17, officials discussed environmental compliance measures for new disinfection facilities addressing combined sewer overflow (CSO) impacts in Flushing Creek, Queens. The project aims to mitigate water pollution during peak storm periods and ensure adherence to state environmental regulations.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) representatives detailed the project’s goals, highlighting its necessity under a consent order with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. This order mandates the reduction of pathogens and viruses linked to CSOs, and the new facilities will employ dechlorination and chlorination processes to treat the water before it is released back into the creek (Source: https://youtu.be/_Oqq7Re_5A8&t=799).

Plans for the facilities include the use of sodium hypochlorite, a widely utilized disinfectant, which will be administered to the sewage as it flows towards the creek during wet weather. To ensure safety, inbound water will be monitored continuously through a total residual chlorine analyzer, which will adjust the chlorine levels in real-time based on flow rates and detected concentrations. Any excess chlorine will be neutralized with sodium bisulfite before discharge (Source: https://youtu.be/_Oqq7Re_5A8&t=1507).

Key discussions during the meeting addressed community concerns regarding potential residual chemicals entering the water body. Officials assured attendees that safety measures are in place to minimize environmental impact, with the system specifically designed to dilute chlorine rapidly upon entering Flushing Creek, thereby reducing any harmful effects (Source: https://youtu.be/_Oqq7Re_5A8&t=1866). The DEP affirmed its commitment to maintaining the maximum effluent limit of 0.1 milligram per liter as mandated by state regulations (Source: https://youtu.be/_Oqq7Re_5A8&t=953).

Concerns also arose about the implications of continued development on local drainage systems. As the area prepares for the implementation of these disinfection facilities, attendees emphasized the importance of ensuring that existing waste management infrastructure can manage the anticipated increase in stormwater runoff due to new developments (Source: https://youtu.be/_Oqq7Re_5A8&t=1303).

Community involvement in the planning process was underscored as essential, with officials acknowledging the need for ongoing dialogue regarding these environmental initiatives. The CPC stated its intent to balance the operational goals of the project with the environmental health of the community, highlighting its role in safeguarding both water quality and local ecosystems moving forward (Source: earlier coverage, https://getlocalpost.com/2025/01/06/planning-for-the-future-city-commission-discusses-monitoring-infrastructure-impacts-of-increased-housing-density/).

As discussions continue, the implementation of these disinfection facilities promises to be a vital step in addressing historical pollution issues in Flushing Creek while adhering to stringent environmental standards.