Background & Policy: Why Rainproof Matters

Understanding Rainproof NYC starts with the concepts and policies that shape how our city manages stormwater. Below you’ll find a quick glossary of core terms, an overview of NYC’s current stormwater regulations, and the research foundations guiding our work. 

RAINPROOF Stormwater Glossary

BLUE-GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE (BI) – Connects urban hydrological functions (blue) with vegetation systems (green). (NYC DEP)
 
CLOUDBURST EVENT – A ‘cloudburst’ is a sudden, heavy downpour where a lot of rain falls in a short amount of time. Cloudbursts can cause flooding, damage property, disrupt critical infrastructure, and pollute New York’s rivers and Harbor. (NYC DEP)
 
Note: “Cloudburst” is often used interchangeably with “rainbomb,” “extreme rainstorm,” “extreme rainfall,” or “extreme precipitation.” This report uses the term extreme rainstorm to describe events like Hurricane Ida.
 
CONVEYANCE SYSTEM – A system such as drainage pipes, streets, and bluebelts that directs water flow to be retained or detained by permeable surfaces, detention sites, or retention sites.
 
DAYLIGHTING – an approach that exposes some or all of a previously buried river, stream, or stormwater drainage. (American Rivers)
DETENTION SYSTEM – An integrated approach to store water temporarily during a high precipitation event, such as green roofs, green-blue roofs, park space, bioswales, berms, sunken basketball courts, and sunken playgrounds.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE (GI) – The range of measures that use plant or soil systems, permeable pavement or other permeable surfaces or substrates, stormwater harvest and reuse, or landscaping to store, infiltrate, or evapotranspirate stormwater and reduce flows to sewer systems or to surface waters. (Water Infrastructure Improvement Act). Green infrastructure systems can reduce stormwater flooding.

NATURAL INFRASTRUCTURE – Uses existing, restored, or enhanced ecosystems to generate infrastructure outcomes either on its own or in combination with built infrastructure. (International Institute for Sustainable Development)

NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS – Sustainable planning, design, environmental management and engineering practices that weave natural features or processes into the built environment to promote adaptation and resilience. (FEMA)

SMART INFRASTRUCTURE – Uses real time data to inform and deploy systems using sensors, cameras, and other monitoring devices.

STORM SURGE – The rise in seawater level caused solely by a storm. (NOAA)

RETENTION SYSTEM – An area that stores water on a more permanent
basis. such as ponds. reservoirs, and streams.

10 Things to know about rain in nyc

RECENT PROGRESS ON STORMWATER POLICY

one way we can get there

The back-of-the-envelope calculations above represent one way that New York City can use green infrastructure to address increasing rainfall while leveraging other benefits. However, the typology of each neighborhood, among many other factors, would determine the unique approach needed to meet the demand for increased capacity to handle heavy rain in that area. This demonstrates that by implementing many of the same approaches that DEP already uses on a systems scale, we can reach a citywide goal of managing the majority – if not all – of predicted rainfall with green or multi-benefit measures.

Read more about how we can get toward a Rainproof NYC>>

GET INVOLVED IN RAINPROOF NYC

JOIN THE RAINPROOF NYC NETWORK

We each have a role to play in Rainproof.

Rainproof NYC is where all stakeholders learn from each other and act collectively to tackle increasingly heavy rainfall and flash floods.The growing Rainproof NYC network brings together community groups, city officials, technical experts, policy advocates, private sector partners, educators, and more to understand and address flooding in NYC.

Ways you can get involved include:

  • Stay updated on new pilot projects, events, and funding opportunities. 
  • Collaborate with the Rainproof NYC Network. 
  • Join a Rainproof Event.
  • Learn from other cities in our Rainproof Series.
  • Participate in or Pilot Rainproof NYC Projects.
  • Share Rainproof Resources & Expertise.

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