As a subconsultant, SI Engineering, P.C. (SIE) provided program management and project management services for the Wastewater Resiliency Plan developed by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP). The $156 million-dollar plan took a proactive stance to implement design standards and cost-effective measures tailored to each of NYCDEP’s waterfront facilities to improve resiliency in the face of flood events. The plan was based on a survey conducted following the extensive damage Hurricane Sandy caused to several NYCDEP facilities, and aimed to assess infrastructure risks and set forth a framework to implement protective measures.
During Hurricane Sandy, flooding affected 10 of NYCDEP‘s 14 Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) and 42 of its 96 Wastewater Pumping Stations (WWPS). The immediate damages to the facilities were estimated to be over $100 million dollars. In response, the Wastewater Resiliency Plan identified flood risk at 14 treatment plants and 56 pumping stations, while also identifying at-risk equipment valued over $1 billion dollars. The plan estimated that strategic adaptation measures could reduce flood risk to NYCDEP’s wastewater infrastructure by 85% and minimize prolonged service disruptions from future storms.
The adaption strategies for WWPS are to elevate equipment, waterproof equipment, raise motors, seal buildings, install static barrier, replace existing motors with submersible motors, and install backup power.
SIE staff was responsible for:
- Project management of the installation and relocation of equipment
- Construction management to implement the above strategies
- On-site meetings to resolve conflicts and development of field modification of the plans to avoid project delays
- Assisting in the evaluation and pricing of change orders
