The NYC DEP really fumbled an outreach this past January when it published information on its website indicating that homeowners with downspouts connected to city sewers were required to redirect the water to a permeable surface. Most homes here have water drainage into the combined sewers, which in many cases date back to when the sewers were installed, or the homes were built in the early 1900s. Media outlets repeated that all homeowners with this property condition were subject to big fines if they did not correct the issue. However, after repeated calls to DEP, Council Member Wong was told that this regulation only applies to people in areas where the sewers are not combined, which really doesn’t affect anyone locally. Way to go, DEP, by causing an unnecessary panic.