The mayor’s office and the city’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) have officially elevated the drought level to “warning” after declaring a drought watch on November 2nd, as New York experiences the longest period without rain in its recorded history. City Hall has also paused the DEP’s $2 billion Delaware Aqueduct Repair Project, the agency’s largest infrastructure repair project ever, so that it can be reopened soon, restarting the flow from four additional reservoirs which had been shut off for the project.
The Delaware aqueduct leaks about 35 million gallons of water every day from the 86-mile pipeline that brings in water from the Catskills to the city. The repair, which was in its final phases before the halt announced today, would have connected a 2.5-mile bypass tunnel close Newburgh, where the leak is occurring. The Delaware aqueduct accounts for about half of the city’s water supply, and is the longest tunnel of any kind.
The mayor has ordered New York City agencies to implement water saving measures, and called on New Yorkers to cut down on their usage as well. “Our city vehicles may look a bit dirtier, and our subways may look a bit dustier,” Adams said, “but it’s what we have to do to delay or stave off a more serious drought emergency.” The mayor reminded the public that no smoking of any kind is allowed in parks, and that grilling or barbecuing in greenspaces is banned until further notice. Lack of awareness around fire safety in the northeast is considered one of the factors that has contributed to the string of blazes breaking out across the northeast, as people in the region are not used to being as mindful of potential fire starters like leftover coals from grilling.
DEP commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala added that the dry conditions in the city as well as upstate where the water reservoirs on which it depends are located have “become more critical.” Aggarwala said that city agencies have been finding innovative ways to reduce their water consumption, and that the public needed to cut down as well in order to “avoid banning things like watering lawns and filling up swimming [pools] this spring.” According to the city’s water supply action plan, a “warning” level for New Yorkers still means voluntary conservation, while the next (and highest) level, “emergency,” would kick in fines and sanctions, forbid using water for sidewalk washing, and only allow water to be served at restaurants upon request.
Governor Kathy Hochul also announced a statewide drought watch today in all areas of the state north of the Catskills, with those below already designated as in the “warning” stage of drought. According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, 14.3 million New Yorkers across the state are in areas of drought. This past October was the 12th driest in the state’s history, receiving just over half of expected rainfall for this time of year. Officials say that the city would have to see over 8 inches of rain to return to normal conditions.
