Brooklyn: Your Tap Water May Smell And Taste Different

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala on Monday announced the start of the final phase of the Delaware Aqueduct Repair Project — the largest infrastructure repair effort in DEP’s history.

This $2 billion project will address the 35-million-gallon-per-day water leakage from the Delaware Aqueduct, the world’s longest tunnel, ensuring a continued supply of clean drinking water to nearly 10 million residents, according to a press release. 

Throughout the repairs, the DEP will rely on its 19-reservoir system, including increased water from the Croton Watershed, ensuring uninterrupted water service. Some residents may notice slight differences in taste or aroma due to the shift in reservoirs, but the "water remains clean and safe to drink," Aggarwala said.

The aqueduct, which has been delivering water to New Yorkers for over half a century, has long needed repairs. Over the past 11 years, the city has been constructing a 2.5-mile bypass tunnel around a significant leak near Newburgh and preparing to fix another in Ulster County. The final phase involves connecting this bypass to the main aqueduct, sealing the Newburgh leak, and repairing the Ulster County section.

“New York City’s tap water is the envy of the world — it’s why we have the best pizza and bagels in the country,” said Adams. “This project will secure our water supply’s future, and while some New Yorkers may notice subtle changes in taste or smell during the repairs, the water will remain safe to drink.”

The Delaware Aqueduct supplies about half of the city’s 1.1 billion gallons of daily water use, the press release said.