In 2006-2007, greening staff worked with community gardeners from Long Island City Roots Community Garden (Queens), Model T Seniors Garden (Bronx), Diaz y Flores Garden (Manhattan), Washington Memorial Garden (Manhattan) and 900 Bedford Avenue Garden (Brooklyn) to construct rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems using simple piping and barrels to collect water from adjacent rooftops or garden structures.
Through RWH, gardeners are less dependent on hydrants, particularly during drought when hydrant use is restricted. RWH is not only much more convenient for gardeners, it also reduces demand on the public water supply system. RWH also helps reduce rainstorm runoff, which can overload storm drains and pollute the waters surrounding the city. Thirty RWH demonstration sites have been built to date with PAL assistance.
Recently the Council on the Environment of NYC (CENYC) was recognized by The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for Environmental Excellence, December 7, 2006. CENYC was honored for promoting sustainable rainwater harvesting practices in New York City's community gardens and green spaces. Each year, these efforts divert almost 500,000 gallons of rainwater onto gardens rather than into stormwater drains. Assistant Director Lenny Librizzi and Lars Chellberg of the Greening Program, are the primary staff behind the building and maintaining of the rainwater harvesting systems across the five boroughs, leading of educational workshops, assisting community gardeners in identifying alternate water resources and building low cost systems.
For further details on the Environmental Excellence Awards program and to learn more about the past and present award winners, please visit:
CENYC Winner of DEC's Third Annual Environmental Excellence Awards
http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/ppu/eea/index.html.
CENYC is an active member of the Water Resources group. Please visit http://www.waterresourcesgroup.org for more information on rainwater harvesting and upcoming workshops.
To view a map of all community gardens with rainwater harvesting systems please click here.