A significant $2 billion initiative aimed at repairing a major leak in a crucial water tunnel that supplies approximately half of New York City’s water has encountered delays and is now projected to take several more years to complete, as announced by city officials. The Department of Environmental Protection has long planned to temporarily halt a portion of the Delaware Aqueduct, located north of the city, to address the substantial leak, which results in the loss of up to 35 million gallons daily, primarily beneath the Hudson River. The intended eight-month shutdown is designed to facilitate the connection of a bypass tunnel constructed under the river.
City authorities had initially announced the aqueduct’s shutdown the previous fall, strategically choosing to suspend water flow from the Catskill region during periods of reduced demand. However, in November, the project was halted due to drought warnings and diminishing levels in the city’s alternative reservoirs. This delay necessitates the drafting of a new contract for continued construction work. The city remains vigilant regarding below-average precipitation levels and is planning upgrades to the aqueduct’s pumps, anticipating that the project will not reach completion until after 2027.
The Delaware Aqueduct, stretching 85 miles (137 kilometers) and recognized as the longest tunnel globally, channels water from four reservoirs in the Catskill region to reservoirs in the northern suburbs, providing for over 8 million New York City residents. The expansive water system also caters to several upstate municipalities. City officials emphasize the necessity of a new contract that considers all potential challenges to maintain the delivery of high-quality water to nearly 10 million New Yorkers daily, reflecting the city’s commitment to its critical responsibility.
