Combined Sewage Overflows Archives

21

Changes to the Gowanus Canal, part of a major cleanup project in the notoriously polluted waterway, are resulting in loss of mussel habitat. But community intervention could increase the Atlantic…

ByJaysa Dold 3Comments

23

Sep 2025

Climate and Environment Government Health Land Use and Development Opinion

Opinion: When It Comes to NYC’s Waterways, Don’t Let Oysters Do All the Dirty Work

“There’s something admirable about trying to restore life in the places that need it most. But without pairing those efforts with real investment in pollution control, especially wastewater infrastructure, we’re…

ByAudrey Li 1Comment

02

Sep 2025

Climate and Environment Featured Government Health Land Use and Development

How Thriving Natural Areas Help Stop NYC Sewers from Overflowing

A new report by the Natural Areas Conservancy is the first to quantify the stormwater capture capacity of the city’s forests, wetlands, and grasslands—helping prevent untreated sewage from overflowing into…

ByMariana Simões 3Comments

04

Jun 2025

Climate and Environment Featured Health Land Use and Development

Harlem River Status Change Could Stall Cleanup Efforts, Environmentalists Warn

The state proposes giving the Harlem River a new classification that would exempt the city from meeting bacterial water quality standards when it rains—and environmental groups are not happy about…

ByMariana Simões 0Comments

22

Nov 2023

Climate and Environment Government In Depth

The Quest to Clean Up Coney Island Creek, Part 2: Long Road to Superfund Status

Polluted from both its industrial past and the city’s present-day sewer system, community leaders have pushed for years to get Coney Island Creek included on either New York State or…

ByNina Dietz 0Comments

23

Oct 2023

Climate and Environment Government Housing and Homelessness

11 Years After Hurricane Sandy, Plan to Build Storm Barriers Around NYC Faces Pushback

Environmentalists say an Army Corps of Engineers’ plan to protect the city from coastal storms using walls and gates fails to address other climate change-related threats, like heavy rainfall.

ByMariana Simões 0Comments

18

Aug 2023

Climate and Environment Government

Swimmable Cities Are a Climate Solution

Amid scorching heat, cities around the world are rethinking access to waterways. This article originally appeared in Nexus Media News.

BySarah Amandolare 1Comment

01

Aug 2023

Climate and Environment Government Housing and Homelessness In Depth

As Gowanus Rezoning Moves Ahead, Are the Sewers Ready?

Nearly two years after the Gowanus rezoning’s passage, signs of change are all around: demolition projects and new builds are transforming the neighborhood. According to the Department of City Planning,…

ByMary Cunningham 4Comments

30

May 2023

In Depth Investigations

Beach Season is Here. How Clean is the Water in NYC?

Last season, the city’s 25 beaches saw a total of 244 closures, either because water quality exceeded the city’s safety standards—determined by testing for the bacteria found in fecal matter—or…

ByMariana Simões

ByRyan Pullido 2Comments

11

Apr 2023

Government Opinion

Opinion: How Paris is Out-Swimming New York City

“As yet another hot and humid summer approaches, exacerbated by the prospect of rising temperatures, we have fewer public pools per capita than any other major U.S. city and 520…

ByKara Meyer 0Comments

Community-Led Project Looks to Grow Gowanus Canal’s Mussel Population