A Look Inside NYC’s Water Supply System

By Y.M. Lowy

New York City’s water supply is something to marvel at. Every day, over one billion gallons of clean drinking water are delivered to more than 8.2 million people in the city. On top of that, about one million people in nearby counties like Westchester, Putnam, Orange, and Ulster also rely on this water. 

Where does all this water come from? A system of 19 reservoirs and three lakes spread across nearly 2,000 square miles in upstate New York, from the Hudson Valley to the Catskills.

This system is very efficient. In 2024, when the city faced one of its driest periods in history, Mayor Eric Adams declared a drought watch. As the situation worsened, the city took quick action to save water. They even paused the Delaware Aqueduct repair project to make sure there would be enough water for everyone. The drought watch was lifted by December.

One of the most surprising facts is that, even though the city’s population has grown by over 1.3 million people since 1980, water usage has gone down by 35%. New York City is now one of the most water-efficient large cities in the country. The Department of Environmental Protection has made big efforts, like replacing old toilets and using smart leak detection technology to help people save water.

So the next time you turn on the tap, you might just appreciate the flowing water a little more.