New Disinfection Facilities Set to Improve Water Quality in Flushing Creek by 2029

### What’s happening

– The City Planning Commission approved new disinfection facilities for Flushing Creek.
– The Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Citywide Administrative Services are responsible.
– Construction is set to begin in November 2026 and finish by October 2029.

### Why it matters

– Community members and nearby ecosystems will benefit from improved water quality in Flushing Creek.
– The project aims to reduce pollution from combined sewer overflow during heavy rain events.

### Key details

– The project includes construction at two sites known as TI 10 and TI 11 in Queens.
– The facilities will treat 98% of combined sewer overflow discharges into Flushing Creek.
– The overall construction timeline is approximately 35 months.
– The facilities will use sodium hypochlorite for disinfection and sodium bisulfite for dechlorination.
– The project fulfills requirements from a 1993 consent order with New York State.

The City Planning Commission convened on February 2, 2026, to discuss the construction of two combined sewer overflow (CSO) disinfection facilities intended to improve water quality in Flushing Creek. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) presented the plan, highlighting its alignment with a long-term control plan designed to mitigate pollution from storm events.

Currently, the area suffers from contamination due to untreated discharges. The new facilities are expected to treat up to 1.4 billion gallons of overflow, significantly reducing the impact on local water bodies. The treatment process involves chlorination followed by dechlorination, ensuring the safety of recreational users. The project aims to decrease CSO discharges by addressing up to 98% of the flows into the creek (Source: https://youtu.be/_Oqq7Re_5A8&t=871).

Illustrations presented during the meeting mapped the locations for the TI 10 and TI 11 facilities. The TI 10 facility, situated on private property, will operate as a dechlorination site, while the TI 11 facility will be located on a state-owned traffic median, serving both chlorination and dechlorination functions (Source: https://youtu.be/_Oqq7Re_5A8&t=1482).

Concerns voiced during the meeting included the adequacy of existing infrastructure to handle anticipated stormwater runoff as urban development continues in the region. Residents expressed the need for transparency regarding how these changes will impact drainage systems, emphasizing the historical challenges surrounding these facilities (Source: https://getlocalpost.com/2026/01/07/city-planning-commission-reviews-sewer-outfall-projects-addressing-community-infrastructure-concerns/).

As the project progresses, public engagement will be crucial in addressing community needs and ensuring the successful implementation of the disinfection facilities. The commission reiterated its commitment to balancing environmental health with development, vital for the long-term sustainability of the area (Source: https://getlocalpost.com/2025/12/18/city-planning-commission-unveils-new-disinfection-facilities-to-combat-flushing-creek-pollution/).