FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE06-08
February
17, 2006
Contact:
Ian Michaels
(718) 595-6600
DEP
Adds Catch Basin Crews through the Weekend to Address Snow
Melt
Another
25 Crews Inspecting Major Roadways for Drainage Problems
Commissioner Emily Lloyd of the New York City Department
of Environmental Protection announced today that to help residents
cope with today’s rain and the melting of the largest snowfall
in the City’s history the DEP has almost tripled its regular
catch basin cleaning force from eight trucks to 22 trucks per day.
The DEP has also put another 25 two-man crews on
patrol to seek out drainage problems on major roadways related
to snow and catch basin backups. These crews can either fix
drainage problems themselves by clearing snow, ice and other debris
away from catch basins, or can direct catch basin cleaning trucks
to problem locations.
The staff increases began on Wednesday and will continue
through the weekend. Efforts are being coordinated with the
Department of Sanitation’s snow melting program to ensure
that catch basins in snow melt areas receive additional attention.
“The City was very successful in managing snow
removal from Sunday’s huge blizzard,” said Commissioner
Lloyd. “Now we have to manage the melting of the snow
just as effectively.
“In the past, we’ve relied on residents
to notify us of problem areas. This time we’re seeking
out those areas ourselves with 25 crews on the streets. But
local residents can still pitch in by clearing snow from around
catch basins. It is also recommended that they clear snow
from around fire hydrants so that the Fire Department can get to
those hydrants if it needs to.”
Residents with catch basin or flooding concerns should
call the City’s 24-hour help line at 311.