The Story Behind New York City’s Water Supply

A reservoir system capacity of 570 billion gallons. A watershed area that covers 1.2 million acres. And a supply that is 90 percent unfiltered. The parameters of New York City’s drinking water infrastructure are astounding, but the story behind the system is much more fascinating. It’s a tale that involves engineering feats, colliding cultures and even Aaron Burr. On this episode of A New York Minute In History, co-hosts Devin Lander and Don Wildman detail how water from the Hudson Valley saved New York City and allowed it to be become the financial and cultural capital of the world.