Is New York’s Water Supply in Danger?

  |  May 22, 2013
Photo from nyc.gov

Photo from nyc.gov

That’s what the Catskills-based non-profit Riverkeeper is asserting after a multi-year study looking at threats to (mostly NYC’s) water supply. “Although the quality of New York City’s drinking water remains high, the City violated standards for lead at the tap and turbidity in source waters and distribution systems in multiple years,” they write. (For those of you annoyed by the behavior of city people: maybe it’s the lead they’ve been drinking?)

More importantly, dangers are lurking, especially three bigs ones, according to their report:

“1) waterborne pathogens in Catskill source waters
2) potential health impacts from pharmaceuticals
3) the possibility of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in close proximity to the Catskill and Delaware Watersheds, which could compromise the City’s drinking water supply infrastructure.

They call for continued testing for contaminants and replacing lead-soldered pipes, among other recommendations.

Read On, Reader...