The United States has already touched on the global problem of drinking water scarcity, and the result is the first environmentally friendly water treatment plant in New York. Its function is to purify rainwater and groundwater in a natural way: through its filtration by ecosystems of swampy lowlands. As a result, this water will not create an additional load on city drains and can be used for various technical needs, in particular, irrigation of green spaces. The station is included in the city's infrastructure and is also intended to become an educational center, showcasing innovation in architecture, landscape design (Ken Smith Bureau) and technologies for collecting and treating rainwater.
The architectural project is based on the principle of the existence of a water lily, which collects rainwater, passes it through itself, while purifying, and then gives its excess to the reservoir in which it grows. So Croton station does not affect the ecosystem of the park in which it is located, saturating it and the city with purified rainwater.
The system of movement of water flows in the cleaning process is based on the use of gravity: under the influence of gravity, water flows through depressions and ditches, while being purified. These ditches have also successfully replaced unattractive fences.
The station will house the outbuildings of the adjacent golf course, as well as a municipal space for social events. The total area of the entire complex, including the field, is 14.41 hectares.
The construction is scheduled to be completed in 2012.
