NEWBURGH – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Open Space Institute (OSI), and the Orange County Water Authority (OCWA) today announced the permanent protection of 83 acres of land to safeguard a critical water source for more than 29,000 residents in the City of Newburgh. Located just 100 feet from Browns Pond and within its watershed, protecting the property has long been a conservation goal of the group.
“New York State’s record investments are ensuring long-term access to clean drinking water, and DEC is fortunate to work with partners like the Open Space Institute and Orange County Water Authority to achieve our goals,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “This project will help protect the water supply in the city of Newburgh, not only as a drinking water source but also as a valuable environmental and economical resource for the region.”
In 2014, polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were found in Washington Lake, the City of Newburgh’s primary drinking water source. Since 2016, the availability of Browns Pond in the Town of New Windsor and the Catskill Aqueduct has afforded the City the flexibility to avoid using Washington Lake as the primary source of its drinking water. Much of the land within the watershed of Browns Pond was developed over the past 40 years for residential use. The remaining undeveloped area in the watershed is under high development pressure due to its proximity to major commercial routes. Protecting the property will help mitigate stormwater runoff and prevent potential contaminants from entering the drinking water sources.
OSI provided project support including technical, legal, and other assistance. Their important role enabled OCWA’s acquisition of the property after it was listed for sale in 2023. There were several competing purchase offers on the table, but OSI was able to successfully secure an agreement to conserve the property for $1.2 million. OCWA plans to acquire additional property with remaining grant funds to further protect the City’s drinking water sources. The land purchase was made possible with approximately $900,000 in funding from a DEC Water Quality Improvement Program (WQIP) grant and the remaining matching funds provided by OCWA.
“Following the discovery of PFAS in Washington Lake which rendered the City of Newburgh’s primary drinking water supply unusable, Governor Hochul has shown her commitment to environmental justice by providing funding for Catskill Aqueduct drinking water for our residents,” City of Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey said. “Newburgh is grateful for the work to preserve the reservoir’s watershed and ensure a continued source of clean drinking water for the City.”
