The $44.7 million was freed up by the city after it received $200 million in federal stimulus money for other water infrastructure projects. The money will be used to extend storm sewers into areas which suffer from storm water flooding and will replace water mains and sanitary sewers. It is expected that existing projects will be speeded up by five years.
A high water table has left the region flood-prone for decades with a growing population exacerbating the problem. Community Board 13 Chairman Bryan Block compared the experience of local homeowners to the sinking of the Titanic, he said: “We are pleased and happy that the mayor has allocated the funding, but it’s extremely long overdue.”