New York City Officials Concerned About Low Reservoir Levels
New York City officials are concerned about low reservoir levels after months of little rain, saying they may postpone repairs on a temporarily out-of-service aqueduct to bring more water into the stressed system.
Drought Watch Issued
Mayor Eric Adams issued a drought watch this month and urged city residents to conserve water by taking shorter showers and fixing leaky faucets. But even with the voluntary measures, lower-than-normal rainfall since September has taken a toll on the city’s sprawling network of upstate New York reservoirs.
Reservoir Levels
More than 100 miles north of Manhattan, the Schoharie Reservoir was at less than a third of its capacity this week, exposing vast muddy flats as the water receded. Scenes were similar in the Catskill Mountains at the Ashokan Reservoir.
Water Supply Concerns
“The system overall is something that we are concerned about…. The New York City system is at 63% capacity right now. Normally, we would be about 79% capacity. But inflows coming into the reservoir system are near record lows,” Paul Rush, who is in charge of water supply for the city Department of Environmental Protection, said Wednesday.
Rush, on a visit to the Schoharie Reservoir this week, said the water system needs a “significant shot of rain.”
Aqueduct Repair Project
The dry weather comes during the temporary shutdown of an upstate aqueduct for repairs. The Delaware Aqueduct, which usually supplies more than half of the city’s water, was drained as part of a $2 billion project to address leaks.
Rush said the repair project was designed with points along the way during which agency officials could decide whether to continue work based on factors like supply levels and forecasts. One of those decision points is coming soon.
“It’s a possibility we may stop and get the Delaware Aqueduct turned back on to restore full access in the entire supply given these very, very dry conditions,” he said.
Conclusion
New York City officials are taking a proactive approach to address the low reservoir levels by considering postponing repairs on the Delaware Aqueduct to bring more water into the system. The city is urging residents to conserve water and is monitoring the situation closely.
FAQs
Q: Why are New York City’s reservoir levels so low?
A: The reservoir levels are low due to months of little rain and lower-than-normal rainfall since September.
Q: What is the current capacity of the New York City water system?
A: The system is currently at 63% capacity, which is lower than the normal capacity of 79%.
Q: What is the Delaware Aqueduct repair project?
A: The Delaware Aqueduct is being repaired as part of a $2 billion project to address leaks and improve the water supply system.
Q: Will the repair project be postponed due to the low reservoir levels?
A: Yes, it is possible that the repair project may be postponed to restore full access to the water supply given the dry conditions.
