OLIVEBRIDGE – After a decade-long dispute over how much turbid or cloudy water could be released from the Ashokan Reservoir to flow down through Ulster County, officials introduced a new interim plan to hold the discolored water in the West Basin until the water becomes clearer.
This will ensure that when water is released downstream, it will be hard to distinguish from typical drinking water, according to officials who gathered alongside the Ashokan Reservoir on Monday.
A consent order between the State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection allows for an interim release protocol that will ensure that cleaner water will better support anglers, tourist locations and businesses.
Officials said new filtration systems and plants closer to the city means the Ashokan Reservoir can hold onto water for longer periods of time. “Today’s historic shift in the Ashokan’s releases emphasizes the DEP’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to continue our mission to provide the highest quality drinking water possible to half of the state’s population,” said New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala.
Built over a century ago, the Ashokan Reservoir provides one billion gallons of drinking water a day, according to the New York City Department of Environmental Protect.
Changes in water data from just a decade ago provided information officials needed to change their minds on water releases. “The updated policy will minimize the impacts of turbidity on the Lower Esopus and ensure the area remains a healthy and thriving environment for public enjoyment,” said State DEC Interim Director Sean Mahar.
Riverkeeper, an environmental education and advocacy group, hailed the historic agreement. “This new agreement is essential in protecting fish, habitat and the community,” said Riverkeeper’s Senior Manager Jeremy Cherson.
The Ashokan Reservoir supplies New York City with 40 percent of its daily drinking water. Water from Ulster County travels through 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts.
Senator Michelle Hinchey underscored the role collaboration had in reaching this announcement. “Our Watershed Communities bear profound responsibility for stewarding our country’s largest unfiltered water system,” she said.
Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger was pleased to hear that the NYC DEP and NYS DEC have added the Lower Esopus Creek to the Resilient NY Program, which focuses on reducing the impact of flooding and ice jams and in vulnerable watersheds throughout the state.
“I have long advocated for a collaborative approach to decision-making on the management of the management strategy of the Lower Esopus. I welcome the significant progress that was announced today,” she said.
