History of Reliable and Clean Water Supply in New York

Throughout history the need for a reliable and clean water supply has plagued large cities from ancient Rome to the modern day metropolis such as New York City. The need for water has always been a challenge facing any city. With the increase rise of population and the migration from rural living to city dwelling; the search for water is ongoing. New York City specifically has had a grand history of water management from early engineering projects and court house battles. The history of New York water has embedded itself in the mindset of the average New Yorker. New York renowned for its cheap and amazing water quality has throughout history used its power to impose water legislation and construction projects to keep a constant hold on its water supply even disregarding water management and imposing their will on other cities. Through water management, large construction projects, and crafty politics New York has maintained its reputation for clean water.

Early settlers to New York obtained water for personal purposes from private wells. The first public well was dug in 1677. New York’s population grew too large for local supplies to sustain growth the need for a new water supply was evident. New Yorkers began the looking for new sources of water other than surrounding rivers and streams. The first major project was to bring fresh water into New York City was the Croton Reservoir and Aqueduct. New York City decided to divert water from the Croton River, located in Westchester County, and build an aqueduct to transport the water from the Croton Reservoir. The Croton Reservoir was built in 1842 today the reservoir is called the Old Croton Reservoir. To build the Croton New York City used the “labor of Irish immigrants and the capit...

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...orts, and people live this philosophy. Because of this philosophical and mental belief water conservation efforts were mocked and given little attention. The far reaching effects of water management were realized far too late. In a modern world where everything is being produced to be has efficient and ecofriendly New York lagged well behind other cities. New York City continues to face the challenges which have plagued every major metropolis in history, looking at New York’s history we can see just how important water can play in the development of a city and the lives of its residents.

Works Cited

Soll, David. Empire of Water:An Environmental and Political History of the New

York City Water Supply. N.p.: Cornell UP, 2013. Print.

NYC.gov. City of New York, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.

dep/html/drinking_water/history.shtml>.