Investigation 2-1: What is the Source of Our Water?
Your Task:
Step 1: Obtain information from the resources below to identify the source(s) of New York City's tap water.
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Step 2: Complete Investigation 2-1: Sources of Water .
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Step 3: Be ready to share your findings with students from Team Bottled Water.
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Step 4: Answer questions on Investigation 2-1: Sources of Water.
1 billion gallons of water reach people in New York City and nearby areas every single day! That's a lot of water. The water comes from the New York City Water Supply System. Tap water begins in the Catskill mountain range in upstate New York. These mountains are 2.5 hours north of New York City. The mountain range is huge. The Catskill Mountains span over 3.7 million acres. That’s the size of more than 3 million football fields.
Map showing terrain of Catskill mountain range
View from a Mountain Peak
Mountains have lots of water sources. There are lakes on the mountains. There are rivers, streams, and creeks that run down mountains. Sometimes, engineers build a place for that running water to collect. A reservoir is a body of water at the bottom of a mountain that stores fresh water. The Catskill Mountains have lots of reservoirs.
Ashokan Reservoir
Rondout Reservoir
Scientists call an area of land that connects flowing water a watershed. Right now, all New York City’s tap water comes from the Catskill and Delaware Watershed. This watershed has 6 reservoirs.
Rain and snow melt on the mountains. The water moves down freshwater creeks and rivers on the mountains, like the Esopus and Schoharie Creeks. These creeks and rivers flow into reservoirs at the bottom of mountains. The Rondout Reservoir and Ashokan Reservoir are the key reservoirs in the watershed system.
Map of Reservoirs and Creeks in the Catskill/Delaware Watershed Area
Once the water collects in the reservoir, it still has to get to your tap. Water moves from the reservoirs into long tunnels under the ground to New York City. Humans designed these tunnels to transport our water. Scientists call these long tunnels aqueducts. The map below shows the Catskill Aqueduct and the Delaware Aqueduct. The water goes through the Catskill/Delaware UV Disinfection Facility for treatment. Finally, the water moves through "city tunnels" in your neighborhood. That’s the path of water from the aqueducts to our homes, schools, and communities. Water from the Catskill Mountain Range has a long way to go from the mountains to our taps!
Map of New York's Water Supply System
New York City water is known around the world for being high quality. It is one of the only cities where the water does not need to be filtered. Instead, natural resources and community organizations help to protect the water in the watersheds! Scientists sample the water from the reservoirs and test it in a lab for quality.
Instead of being filtered, New York City’s drinking water passes through the Catskill/Delaware Ultraviolet Disinfection Facility right before the water moves into the city. Located just north in Westchester County, the facility is the largest of its kind in the world. The facility treats the water with necessary natural ingredients. That way our water stays clean in the pipes, keeps our teeth healthy, and keeps bacteria away.
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Model of NYC Water Disinfection System
A scientists tests water in the lab
A scientist braves the cold, collecting water to be tested
Once water makes its to our city, scientists in the city test the water on the side of our streets, making sure it is safe right before it gets to our homes, schools, and communities. Watch the video below to learn more about how this process ensures safe drinking water for New Yorkers.
