FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 18-12
February 23, 2018
deppressoffice@dep.nyc.gov, 718-595-6600

Upgrades to Facilities at Central Park Reservoir

Work Requires Temporarily Lowering the Water Level in the Reservoir and the Closure of a Short Portion of the Jogging Path

Central Park Reservoir is not Part of City’s Potable Water Supply System; A Map of the Construction Area is Available on DEP’s Flickr Page

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection today announced that upgrades to facilities at Central Park Reservoir this spring will require lowering the water level by approximately 8 feet, as well as a temporary closure of a short portion of the jogging path along the northwest side of the Reservoir. The work will include upgrades to water control valves located within the Reservoir’s Gate House No. 1. Crews have already begun slowly lowering the water level to prepare for the infrastructure upgrades, which are expected to commence at the beginning of April. It is anticipated that work will continue through July and water levels in the Reservoir will return to normal in August. All of the work and the temporary closure of the jogging path, including signs directing pedestrians to a detour along the bridal path, have been coordinated with the Central Park Conservancy. Additionally, engineers will be conducting field surveys in the vicinity of the Reservoir this summer to support the planning and design of future upgrades. Central Park Reservoir is not part of the City’s potable water supply system.

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing more than one billion gallons of water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8.5 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP has nearly 6,000 employees, including almost 1,000 in the upstate watershed. In addition, DEP has a robust capital program, with a planned $18.9 billion in investments over the next 10 years that will create up to 3,000 construction-related jobs per year. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.