Description

• NYCHA stormwater infrastructure includes rain gardens, subsurface infiltration systems, and porous paving. NYCHA also supports right-of-way bioswales and stormwater green streets for adjacent DOT sites, but is not responsible for their designs, construction, or maintenance.  

Baseline

• Designs must follow NYC DEP Office of Green Infrastructure Standards, the New York City Stormwater Manual an appendix to Chapter 19.1 of Title 15 of the RCNY, NYC DEP Green Infrastructure, NYC Environmental Protection “Rain gardens”, NYC Environmental Protection Criteria for Detention Facility Design. 
• Relining of damaged or defective stormwater pipes, catch basins, stormwater inlets, manholes, etc. should be considered as an alternative to costly replacement.  
• Where applicable and feasible, use permeable materials for hardscaped areas, rain gardens, and bioswales to increase the retention of stormwater within campuses. The types of stormwater assets used and where they are sited need to be determined based on sub-surface investigation and review of existing conditions to determine soil make up, ground water level and location of below grade utilities.    
• Maintenance requirements should be carefully considered during design when choosing assets.
  • Consider DEP’s green infrastructure maintenance guidelines in asset consideration. 
  • NYCHA property management staff and/or contractors must remove all trash from the drainage areas to promote uninterrupted drainage. 
  • Stormwater management partner must develop educational signage and maintenance cards to facilitate communication and maintenance requirements.  These should be provided to property management during turnover and signs should be posted for staff and residents, so they are clearly visible and legible.
• Surface area of rain gardens must be designed and constructed with no longitudinal or lateral slope. Parking lot or roadway runoff must not be directed to rain gardens. Rain gardens must be located 30 ft maximum from the downspout or impervious area treated. 
• Protect existing infrastructure: 
  • Avoid interference with NYCHA safety and security infrastructure including electrical conduits. 
  • Locate at least 10 feet from any building. 
  • Locate at least 25 feet from MTA sites. 
  • Rehabilitate existing curbs to guide water flow to the new infrastructure including underground storage and retention tanks.  
• All roofs, paved areas, yards, parking lots, playgrounds, etc. shall drain into a separate storm sewer system, or a combined sewer system, or to a place of disposal approved by the commissioner and in accordance with the requirements of DEP. 
• Storm water shall not be drained into sewers intended for sewage only. 
• Refer to Grounds/Excavation for excavation and backfilling requirements. 

Stretch

• Designers are encouraged to retain, infiltrate, and/or harvest the first inch of rainfall in a 24-hour period sitewide. 
• Installation of Reuse Systems may be considered. Reuse is the process of collecting rainfall or run off and storing it for eventual reuse in other applications. 

RAD Conversions 

• Where DEP Green Infrastructure (“GI”) features, or “practices,” exist or are planned, RAD Conversions should coordinate their site design with these features. The RAD Conversions will be required to meet certain requirements for non-interference with any pre-existing green infrastructure installed by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection. The RAD Conversions will also be required to provide access and otherwise cooperate with any green infrastructure projects that are planned, designed, or in construction at the time of construction closing. NYCHA will provide the location of existing and planned green infrastructure projects along with design documents as they are available. 

Strategies

Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets

Prioritize Sustainable Materials, Technologies & Practices

Innovate Adaptive & Resilient Solutions

Connected Communities

Last Updated on January 10, 2026 at 7:45 am

Downloads and Data

Download All

Specifications

33 44 13 - Drain inlets Catch Basins and Drain Pipes

Details

L-DT_Dry Well Small

L-DT_Dry Well

L-DT_Dry Well2

L-DT_Gravel Bag Inlet Protection

L-DT_Inlet Protection Bag

P-DT_Box out for Existing Drain

P-DT_Box Out

P-DT_Catch Basin

P-DT_Drain Inlet

P-DT_Hooded Catch Basin

P-DT_Line Drain

P-DT_Raising Grate and Frame on Existing Catch Basin