We will expand our supply potential through increased efficiency

Restore groundwater use in Jamaica, Queens
In 1996, DEP bought the Jamaica Water Supply system, which at its peak supplied 65 mgd to southeast Queens. Pumps extracted groundwater and distributed it across the borough in contrast to our upstate system which relies on gravity 95% of the time. Another difference was flavor: the ground water tasted different from our upstate supply.

Today, only one mgd from this system is circulated throughout southeast Queens, primarily because of the ample supply of cheaper surface water available from upstate. But while groundwater is far more expensive to clean and distribute, it has several advantages. The supply is constant and not subject to drought. Expanding this water source will diversify our supply, providing important redundancy. That is why DEP will begin upgrading the groundwater system in southeast Queens and begin construction on an enhanced treatment plant between 2011 and 2012. By 2016, the Jamaica system will provide an additional 10 mgd.

New Croton Aqueduct
As discussed above, the construction of the Croton Filtration Plant, as well as improvements to the New Croton Aqueduct, will ensure the safe and reliable delivery of up to 290 mgd of water from the Croton water supply system.

Alternative connections to the reservoir for emergency use
Today, the New Croton Aqueduct is the only way to bring water from the Croton Watershed into the city. But the Delaware Aqueduct passes directly through the Croton Watershed; strong pumps could force the water into the Delaware Aqueduct below the point of the leak described earlier.

Although we currently have hydraulic pumps in place, they lose three gallons of water for every gallon successfully transferred. Upgrading these pumps to more efficient models will enable us to convey 125 mgd of Croton Water through the Delaware Aqueduct. We expect these new pumps to be operational by 2011 and cost $62 million.

Progress (as of 4/22/08):
DEP completed the environmental review of the Cross River Pump Station, which will allow the transfer of 60 million gallons per day (mgd) from the Croton Watershed to the Delaware Aqueduct below the location of the leak, and has released the bid to obtain construction contracts. The construction bids were due in March and DEP anticipates the contractor to be on board by the Fall of 2008. Design is progressing for the Croton Falls Pump Station, which will allow the transfer of 180 MGD from the Croton Watershed to the Delaware Aqueduct below the location of the leak. DEP will release the bids to obtain construction contracts for the Croton Falls Pump Station in 2010.