City officials are warning that the suburban reservoirs supplying 10% of New York City’s celebrated drinking water are becoming more saline due to decades of road salt use nearby, potentially leading to their abandonment if the trend persists. A recent study suggests that this may not happen until the early 2100s, but the increasing salt levels could impact the renowned taste of the city’s water, often dubbed the “champagne of tap water.” The system, serving over 9 million people, is at risk, with the Environmental Protection Commissioner, Rohit Aggarwala, stating that without changes, the Croton Water System may no longer provide water by 2100.
The Croton system, established in 1842, consists of 12 reservoirs and three controlled lakes north of the city and has seen a threefold rise in chloride concentrations from 1987 to 2019, with levels projected to surpass the state’s acceptable limit by 2108. Although salinity is increasing in the city’s upstate reservoirs, it is less severe in the Delaware and Catskill watersheds, largely due to less development in those areas. Road salt, along with discharges from sewage treatment plants and water softeners, is identified as a key contributor to the rising salinity, affecting water quality nationwide in snowy regions.
Addressing the issue, officials propose options such as employing costly reverse osmosis systems to remove salt, blending Croton water with less saline sources, or reducing road salt use locally. Efforts to persuade state and local road crews to adopt salt alternatives or implement technology to regulate salt application could help mitigate the problem. State Senator Pete Harckham acknowledges the urgency of the situation and is advocating for legislation to study and address the road salt impact on the Croton watershed.
He emphasized the importance of state agencies, local governments, and all stakeholders working together to address this significant challenge.
