"The water will always be there," Paul Rush, deputy commissioner for the city's Department of Environmental Protection. "We're going to be changing the mix of water that consumers get." He clarifies that while the aqueduct supplies half of the city's water, alternative sources will ensure a continued flow. However, the members of the public may notice a change in taste during this period as adjustments are made to supply.
The Delaware Aqueduct, operational since 1944, transports water from four reservoirs in the Catskills, covering a distance of 85 miles. It is the longest tunnel in the world, providing about half of the 1.1 billion gallons consumed daily by over eight million city residents, while also serving upstate areas.
The aqueduct has been leaking significantly, with estimates of up to 35 million gallons lost each day primarily from a section deep below the Hudson. This leakage has been recognized for decades, presenting a challenge for city officials who previously could not afford to take the aqueduct offline for necessary repairs.
The ongoing $2 billion project involves constructing a new 2.5-mile bypass tunnel under the Hudson River. This new tunnel, years in the making, will be connected during a temporary shutdown expected to last up to eight months, during which over 40 miles of the existing aqueduct will be out of service for vital repairs.
Collection
[
|
...
]