Paterson pilots green infrastructure to stop chronic street flooding
The Fair Street Green Street Project aims to absorb stormwater on-site, reducing strain on a century-old sewer system that frequently overflows into the Passaic River.
By Cecilia Martin ·
Drivers in Paterson have spent decades watching their commutes turn into river crossings when heavy rain hits. Streets that once held traffic now hold water, leaving vehicles stranded and sewers overflowing. To address this recurring problem, city officials are installing physical features designed to hold water before it reaches the pipes.
The effort began with a formal announcement on Wednesday. Mayor Andre Sayegh met with representatives from The Nature Conservancy and Rutgers University to launch the Fair Street Green Street Project. The partnership focuses on one of the city's most vulnerable areas, where flooding has damaged property and disrupted daily life for years.
The strategy relies on natural absorption rather than concrete expansion. The plan includes landscaped planters and other green infrastructure features. These elements capture and filter rainwater on-site. By keeping the water on the street rather than letting it rush into the ground, the system reduces the immediate volume hitting the sewer network.
Paterson operates on a combined sewer system that is more than 100 years old. Project partners note that this aging network struggles during heavy rain events. When the system becomes overwhelmed, excess water flows directly into the Passaic River. The new infrastructure is intended to contain water on-site, preventing it from burdening the old pipes.
Residents in the affected neighborhood have lived with these floods for years. One resident described the initiative as the start of a new era. They noted that flooding now reaches areas that were previously dry. The resident expressed hope that this specific approach could be applied throughout the city to keep water levels down.
Mayor Sayegh framed the project as a necessary pilot. He emphasized that the city needs additional federal funding to address infrastructure that dates back over a century. Sayegh pointed to the damage seen in vehicles and the rescues required during past storms. He stated that the city wants to avoid replaying those emergencies and asked for funding to complete the work.
Construction for the Fair Street Green Street Project is expected to start this fall. Officials anticipate finishing the work by spring 2027.
Source: News 12 New Jersey
