A Plan for Resiliency

Our Interactive Demand Management Map gives a detailed look at completed water conservation projects across New York City.

As water utilities across the nation — and around the world — grapple with the consequences of climate change, we must continue to identify opportunities that will ensure the long term resiliency of our water supply system.

We are pleased to share One Water NYC: 2018 Water Demand Management Plan (PDF) for New York City’s water supply. The plan outlines recent conservation efforts that have resulted in a savings of 10 million gallons of water per day, as well as plans to conserve an additional 10 million gallons per day over the next five years. Through a number of strategic initiatives, we have been able to reduce per capita water demand in New York City from its peak of 213 gallons a day per person in 1979 to 115 gallons a day per person in 2017, a 46 percent reduction.

Conservation projects include: Fixture replacements in public buildings (left) and upgrades to spray showers in city parks (right).

While conservation programs have helped to drive down demand for water, they have also helped to cut greenhouse gas emissions related to operating the water and wastewater systems by 68 metric tons annually, as well as limit sewer overflows into local waterways during rain events. Importantly, the reduction in demand for water will also help to facilitate critical water system upgrades in the coming years, including the temporary shutdown of the Delaware Aqueduct.

Conservation projects include:

• The installation of timers on 400 spray showers in Parks Department playgrounds; saving 1.1 million gallons per day (MGD) during the summer months.
• Upgrade of 30,000 inefficient bathroom fixtures in New York City public schools; saving 3.3 MGD.
• Upgrades and modification of treatment procedures at our 14 wastewater treatment plants; saving 1.7 MGD.
• The installation of 500 efficient toilets and 280 urinals in 10 City University of New York buildings; saving 40,000 gallons of water per day.
• Construction of a water reuse facility at the New York City Fire Department’s Randall’s Island Training Facility; saving 30,000 gallons of water per day.
• Replacement of more than 12,600 inefficient toilets in private residences; saving 500,000 gallons of water per day.
• Distribution of nearly 100,000 home water savings kits to promote conservation; saving 400,000 gallons of water per day.

The plan also outlines future in-city conservation projects, steps being taken to reduce water use by 10 of our upstate wholesale customers, optimization of the water distribution system and management of the water supply during times of water shortage. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep/conservation.