Bypass Prep Continues
Recently, the last access pipe was placed in the Delaware Aqueduct Bypass Tunnel’s shaft 5B and encased in concrete. The access pipe anchors the shaft cap in place and ensures that the pressurized water stays in the tunnel. It will also provide access to the tunnel when the bypass is connected to the existing Delaware Aqueduct later in 2022, and for any future inspection or repair needs.
About the Delaware Aqueduct
The 85-mile-long Delaware Aqueduct is the longest tunnel in the world. It begins at Rondout Reservoir in Ulster County and conveys about 50 percent of New York City’s drinking water every day.
We are currently working on a $1 billion project to repair two areas of leakage from the Delaware Aqueduct. The primary leak will be eliminated through the construction of a 2.5-mile bypass tunnel built 600 feet under the Hudson River from Newburgh to Wappinger. The bypass tunnel was completed in 2019 and will be connected to structurally sound portions of the existing Delaware Aqueduct in 2022 to convey water around the leak. To finish the connections on either side of the Hudson River, DEP must shut down the Delaware Aqueduct for 5–8 months . The leaking section of the existing aqueduct will be plugged and taken out of service forever. This is the largest repair project in the 179-year history of the New York City water supply system.
