NYC Water Alert: What’s Behind the New Taste Starting This Monday?
New York City residents might notice a slight change in the taste of their tap water. This is due to a significant project aimed at securing the city’s water supply for the future. Mayor Eric Adams emphasized the importance of this project, stating that New York City’s tap water is world-famous and often credited for giving the city its top-notch pizza and bagels.
He added that this is the final stage of an 11-year project designed to protect the city’s water supply and ensure that New Yorkers can continue to enjoy the billion gallons of drinking water they consume every day.
Why the Change in Taste?
The Delaware Aqueduct, which provides about half of New York City’s tap water, is being temporarily shut down. This closure is part of a $2 billion effort to repair major leaks under the Hudson River. In the meantime, the city will use water from other parts of its vast 19-reservoir system. While the water will keep flowing, residents may notice that the taste isn’t as crisp as usual.
According to Paul Rush, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the water supply will remain uninterrupted. Still, the mix of water sources will change, causing the difference in taste.
DEP Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala reassured New Yorkers that this change in taste doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with the water. He explained that, just like different brands of bottled water taste slightly different, the city’s various reservoirs also provide water with subtle taste differences.
What’s Happening to the Delaware Aqueduct?
The Delaware Aqueduct is an essential part of New York City’s water system. It’s the longest tunnel in the world, running 85 miles from the Catskill region’s reservoirs to other reservoirs near the city. Since 1944, the aqueduct has supplied about half of the 1.1 billion gallons of water used daily by more than 8 million residents, as well as several upstate communities.
However, the aqueduct has a serious leak, losing up to 35 million gallons of water every day, especially in a section deep beneath the Hudson River. While officials have known about this issue for decades, the solution wasn’t simple. Shutting down the aqueduct for years to repair it wasn’t an option, as it’s too critical for the city’s water supply.
About a decade ago, the city began constructing a parallel 2.5-mile tunnel under the river. This new bypass tunnel will be connected during the current shutdown, which is expected to last up to eight months.
During this time, a large portion of the aqueduct, spanning over 40 miles from four upstate reservoirs, will be offline. However, sections of the aqueduct closer to the city will continue to function, and additional leaks in the northern part of the aqueduct will also be repaired.
Ensuring New York’s Water Future
New York City has a long history of investing in its water system, dating back 180 years. DEP Commissioner Aggarwala stated that this tradition continues and reassured the public that the city’s entire water supply will continue to meet all state, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and health standards.
The timing of the aqueduct repairs was carefully planned to avoid the summer months when water demand is typically higher. Over the years, the city has also improved other parts of its water system, including sections that are more than a century old.
Paul Rush explained that the city has been preparing for this by increasing capacity in other parts of the system, particularly the Catskill Aqueduct. Additionally, more drinking water will come from the Croton Watershed, which includes a dozen reservoirs and three lakes in the city’s northern suburbs.
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The Croton system’s water contains more minerals and algae than other reservoirs, which could contribute to the temporary taste difference some residents may notice.