New York City’s renowned drinking water quality at risk due to necessary repairs to the Delaware Aqueduct.
New York City’s tap water, known for its high quality and taste, is undergoing temporary changes due to essential repairs to the Delaware Aqueduct. This aqueduct, responsible for delivering half of the city’s water, is being closed for eight months for critical maintenance. As a result, the city’s main water source, the Delaware portion of the Catskill-Delaware watershed, will be reduced by half, impacting the taste of the water temporarily.
To compensate for this reduction, New York City will rely more on another watershed that typically serves as a backup and supplies about 10 percent of the city’s water. While the water remains safe to drink, residents may notice a difference in taste as the city adjusts to using a different water source during the repairs.
Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala of the Department of Environmental Protection assured the public that variations in taste are normal when switching between different water sources, comparing it to the differences in taste between various brands of bottled water. The Delaware Aqueduct, which is nearly a century old and spans 85 miles from the Catskills to New York City, plays a crucial role in the city’s water supply system.
During this period of repair, the city is taking necessary steps to ensure that residents continue to have access to safe and reliable drinking water. By utilizing alternative water sources and implementing contingency plans, New York City is able to maintain water quality standards despite the temporary changes in taste.
Source: The NY Times
