Timeline of Sewer History
NYC has a very old sewage system. It is an outdated system since it’s so old and that is why it is a combined sewage system. When NYC first created their sewage system they made it a combined with storm drains and sewage from our homes and businesses because it was cheaper and faster. Plus, their main concern wasn’t how the sewage system was made but more just getting the raw sewage out of streets, and cisterns people had created to get rid of waste.
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Did You Know?
NYC'S First Ever Sewer
This dates back to Dutch colonial times when a giant cesspool of wastewater ran down Broad Street. A stone roof was built on top of it and it was buried, hence, NYC's first sewer. The image depicts a construction crew at one of the first storm sewers in Queens,1938
Map of Water Pollution Control Pants
Timeline of Sewer History
1890s-1900s
The first wastewater treatment plants were built in two locations at Brooklyn and one in Queens in efforts to keep NYC beaches clean since they were in high use and started to get really polluted by sewage. They were the 26th Ward, the Coney Island Water Pollution Control Plants (WPCP) in Queens and the Jamaica WPCP in Queens.
Coney Island Wastewater Treatment Plant
1904
The Metropolitan Sewerage Commission was created to make a wastewater treatment plan. The link between waterborne bacteria and diseases in humans was made. It was clear a master plan was needed in order to study and protect surrounding waterways.
Excerpt from Metropolitan Sewerage Commission's Report on Present Sanitary Conditions of New York Harbor and The Degree of Cleanness Which is Necessary and Sufficient for the Water
1935-1945
3 New wastewater treatment plants constructed.
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The Wards Island, Bowery Bay, and Tallman Island.
Image of Wards Island wastewater treatment plant
1945-1965
5 new plants built to meet needs of the expanding population.
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Hunts Point, Oakwood Beach, Port Richmond, Rockaway, and Owls Head.
Rockaway Wastewater Treatment Plant
1965-1979
Newtown Creek plant built in Brooklyn. This was a newer type of wastewater plant that conserved space and minimized pumping requirements.
Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant
1985-Present
Two more treatment plants completed, Red Hook and the North River plant.
14 plants now exist in NYC!
Upon completion, all sewage waste was being captured and treated.
Treatment plants have the capacity to treat dry water flows of 1,805 million gallons daily.