Key takeaways
- NYC tap water is clean, low in minerals, and tastes great straight from the tap.
- NYC tap water comes from 19 reservoirs and three lakes up to 150 miles upstate, then travels through 6,000 miles of pipes to homes and businesses in the city, Westchester County, and other parts of the Hudson Valley.
- The secret is protecting the source. In addition to a range of programs that limit pollution from communities, 2,000 square miles of forests and open land surrounding the source waters naturally filter it before it ever reaches a treatment facility — making a costly filtration plant unnecessary.
- Riverkeeper has spent decades advocating for watershed protections, shaping policy, and reviewing developments that could threaten water quality.
- Rising road salt levels and chemical reactions triggered by too much organic material are emerging threats to water quality — and Riverkeeper is actively working with city and state agencies to address them.
Can you drink tap water in New York City?
Yes! New York City’s source water is very clean and undergoes disinfection and ultraviolet light treatment, so it tastes great right out of the tap. Those living in buildings constructed prior to 1991 should consider obtaining a free lead testing kit from the city and taking other precautions, as old local plumbing may contain lead that can leach into water, which is toxic and should not be consumed. To learn more about how to protect yourself, visit https://www.nyc.gov/site/dep/water/monitoring-for-lead.page or call 311.
Why is NYC tap water so good?
It’s clean, and it contains low levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium, which gives it a pure taste.
Where does New York City tap water come from?
New York City’s tap water comes from 19 reservoirs and three lakes in upstate New York, as far away as 150 miles north of the city.
How does NYC tap water get to the city?
About 6,000 miles of pipes carry roughly 1 billion gallons a day from upstate sources to the five boroughs, most of Westchester County, and other parts of the Hudson Valley.
Is NYC tap water treated with chemicals?
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) disinfects the water with ultraviolet light and chlorine to kill bacteria and other pathogens, and treats it with chemicals that decrease the release of lead from household pipes. Fluoride is also added as a public health measure to prevent cavities. Water from the Croton Reservoir system, which accounts for about 10 percent of the city’s tap water, also undergoes filtration and disinfection treatment. The agency continually monitors water in both the reservoirs and pipe network.
How does NYC tap water stay clean?
Two thousand square miles surrounding the city’s water sources are managed to protect the most sensitive lands and to prevent pollution. The city and state have conserved roughly 40 percent of the land area in the unfiltered portion of the watershed: These undeveloped forests and landscapes, especially along streams, naturally filter the water. The NYC DEP also:
- Enforces regulations to control significant pollution sources
- Works with farmers and local communities to reduce polluted runoff
- Builds and operates wastewater treatment systems
- Helps residents replace outdated septic systems
Together, these efforts keep source water free of contaminants — and eliminate the need for an expensive filtration plant, which would cost an estimated $20 billion to build, and $1 million per day to operate.
What is Riverkeeper’s role in protecting NYC tap water?
Through Riverkeeper’s signature on the landmark 1997 agreement that established effective watershed protection programs for the city’s water supply, our organization is one of the formal parties working with city, state, and federal agencies, and local communities in the watershed to protect the city's tap water supply. Key contributions include:
- Playing a central role in establishing the NYC drinking watershed management program in 1997, as an alternative to costly filtration
- Ensuring that all levels of government comply with applicable agreements and permits needed to effectively protect the water supply
- Participating in environmental reviews for developments proposed in the watershed to improve poorly planned projects and otherwise minimize impacts on water quality
- Contributing to the scientific understanding necessary to protect water today and well into the future
Riverkeeper continues to advocate for policies that protect tap water sources statewide and conducts ongoing research into emerging threats in large part built on the lessons learned from NYC’s protection programs
What are Riverkeeper’s next steps to protect NYC tap water?
Riverkeeper currently sits on an environmental advisory panel helping city and state agencies develop the next 10-year plan for keeping NYC water compliant with safe drinking water standards — without building a filtration plant. Current focus areas include:
- Road salt: Increased salt use is raising salinity levels in source water, which could lead to unsafe levels in the Croton Reservoir part of the water supply.
- Chlorination byproducts: Leaves, algae, and other natural materials in reservoirs can react with chlorine during treatment to form harmful compounds. Warmer water temperatures and heavy rains driven by climate change can increase the risk.
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