Corona Yard Makes a Splash with Recycled Water
Esaura Alcantara: I'm Esaura Alcantara and you're listening to a "Going Your Way Greener" podcast on TransitTrax, New York City Transit's podcast service
(SOUND: Thunder and rain)
Ah yes, rain.
(SOUND: Rain continuing)
It makes Mondays a real drag, but rainy days help the environment by cleaning the air and of course watering flowers, plants, and trees.
(SOUND: Birds chirping, water pouring)
It takes about 7.9 gallons of H2O to wash an automobile, but when it comes to a subway car, crews need 10 gallons, or 80 gallons per 8-car train. That's a lot of water. But not to worry, because at the new Corona Maintenance Shop and Car Wash, rain water is being put to good use.
Robert Dondiego from New York City Transit's Capital Construction Management Department explains.
Robert Dondiego, Capital Construction Management: Rainwater is collected on the roof of the car maintenance facility and goes to a 40,000 gallon storage tank under the west apron of the facility. From there it is pumped to the car washer building and is used to wash the cars for the number 7 Flushing Line.
Esaura Alcantara: Even after the cars are cleaned and rinsed, we're still not done using the rainwater.
Robert DonDiego: The water is captured, cleaned, recycled, and used again for washing additional cars. Approximately 40 percent of the water used by the car washer is recycled.
Esaura Alcantara: On line for almost two years, managers at the shop say the car wash is working quite well. The Corona Shop and Car Wash are so energy efficient and environmentally friendly that the facility received an Honorable Mention Green Apple Award from the City of New York and the Environmental Protection Agency. The award is recognition of Transit's green building initiative, aimed at building projects that are green and sustainable.
Robert Dondiego: This is important because of our Governor's executive order to reduce energy consumption by 30 percent over standard building, and to maintain our certification as ISO 14,000 environmental standard. That basically means that we have an environmental commitment and standards for both design and operation of the facilities made through the capital program to reduce the amount of resources used by the construction and operation of the building.
Esaura Alcantara: When all is said and done, the new Corona Car Wash is saving more than 60,000 gallons of water a year. Savings that will add up over time and help New York City Transit conserve water for generations of subway riders to come.
For TransitTrax, I'm Esaura Alcantara. Thanks for listening, and thanks for riding with New York City Transit.
Back to Transittrax Main Page
Esaura Alcantara: I'm Esaura Alcantara and you're listening to a "Going Your Way Greener" podcast on TransitTrax, New York City Transit's podcast service
(SOUND: Thunder and rain)
Ah yes, rain.
(SOUND: Rain continuing)
It makes Mondays a real drag, but rainy days help the environment by cleaning the air and of course watering flowers, plants, and trees.
(SOUND: Birds chirping, water pouring)
It takes about 7.9 gallons of H2O to wash an automobile, but when it comes to a subway car, crews need 10 gallons, or 80 gallons per 8-car train. That's a lot of water. But not to worry, because at the new Corona Maintenance Shop and Car Wash, rain water is being put to good use.
Robert Dondiego from New York City Transit's Capital Construction Management Department explains.
Robert Dondiego, Capital Construction Management: Rainwater is collected on the roof of the car maintenance facility and goes to a 40,000 gallon storage tank under the west apron of the facility. From there it is pumped to the car washer building and is used to wash the cars for the number 7 Flushing Line.
Esaura Alcantara: Even after the cars are cleaned and rinsed, we're still not done using the rainwater.
Robert DonDiego: The water is captured, cleaned, recycled, and used again for washing additional cars. Approximately 40 percent of the water used by the car washer is recycled.
Esaura Alcantara: On line for almost two years, managers at the shop say the car wash is working quite well. The Corona Shop and Car Wash are so energy efficient and environmentally friendly that the facility received an Honorable Mention Green Apple Award from the City of New York and the Environmental Protection Agency. The award is recognition of Transit's green building initiative, aimed at building projects that are green and sustainable.
Robert Dondiego: This is important because of our Governor's executive order to reduce energy consumption by 30 percent over standard building, and to maintain our certification as ISO 14,000 environmental standard. That basically means that we have an environmental commitment and standards for both design and operation of the facilities made through the capital program to reduce the amount of resources used by the construction and operation of the building.
Esaura Alcantara: When all is said and done, the new Corona Car Wash is saving more than 60,000 gallons of water a year. Savings that will add up over time and help New York City Transit conserve water for generations of subway riders to come.
For TransitTrax, I'm Esaura Alcantara. Thanks for listening, and thanks for riding with New York City Transit.
Back to Transittrax Main Page
