New York City has broken ground on the North End Recirculation Project, a $35.7 million initiative designed to reduce stormwater flooding in Harlem and East Harlem and lower Central Park’s reliance on the city’s drinking water supply. The project is expected to be completed in fall 2028.
The system is projected to reduce stormwater flows into local sewers by 90%, or about 132 million gallons a year, and conserve approximately 175 million gallons of potable water annually, according to a Central Park Conservancy spokesperson cited by Smart Cities Dive.
During dry weather, the system will filter and recirculate water between the Harlem Meer and a stream and pool in Central Park. The Conservancy says this will reduce the park’s use of drinking water and help prevent algal blooms in the three water bodies.
Weather forecasts and watershed data will also be used to automatically lower the Meer’s water level ahead of rainfall, creating capacity to capture runoff and reduce overflow into nearby sewer systems.
Funding includes $19.6 million from New York City and a $10 million Green Resiliency Grant from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation. Central Park Conservancy donors pledged $3.5 million, the City Council allocated $2 million, and two local officials contributed a combined $600,000.
The project is part of broader efforts to address stormwater flooding across the city. Other measures include a Bluebelt system planned for Brooklyn’s Prospect Park and green infrastructure in Queens designed to absorb rainwater.
Sources: Smart Cities Dive.