WASHINGTON — A review of the New York City Watershed Protection Program, released today by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, says the program has been largely successful in maintaining and enhancing water quality for New York City’s drinking water since its inception in 1997. There is less evidence that the program has directly enhanced the vitality of watershed communities in the Catskills region, despite sustained program and infrastructure investments.

Review of the New York City Watershed Protection Program says the city’s water system appears able to more than adequately protect the quality of drinking water sources, even under extraordinary storm conditions, such as tropical storms Irene and Lee in 2011. 

The report identifies program areas that may require future change or action, including continued efforts to address turbidity and responding to changes in reservoir water quality as a result of climate change. Improvements to the Watershed Agricultural Program, the Septic System Program, and the Land Acquisition Program would be particularly beneficial.

The study — undertaken by the Committee to Review the New York City Watershed Protection Program — was sponsored by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, technology, and medicine. They operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln.

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Megan Lowry, Media Officer
Office of News and Public Information
202-334-2138; e-mail news@nas.edu