Dispelling rumors about reservoir study

By Paul Rush

Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Water Supply

Before Thursday’s public meeting in White Haven, I thought it would be helpful to dispel some rumors about New York City’s involvement in an upcoming study of the Francis E. Walter Reservoir.

Over the past 10 days, local news reports have said that New York City wants to purchase storage in the reservoir, draw drinking water from it, take control of its operations, and end the water releases that support recreation, tourism and the local economy.

None of this is accurate. Not a single word of it.

As many of you know, New York City’s water system includes three large drinking-water reservoirs at the headwaters of the Delaware River.

In addition to providing drinking water for New York these reservoirs also release water downstream to support cold-water fisheries, flood attenuation goals, and flow targets on the Delaware River as far south at Montague and Trenton.

That is why my staff and I have long been involved in issues related to flow management, drought protection and climate change on the Delaware River.

The upcoming study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will examine whether Francis E. Walter could help the Delaware River confront a number of challenges that will affect us all.

New York City believes the study should center on protecting the estuary and lower basin during times of severe drought.

As the climate changes and ocean levels continue to rise, we know that salt water from the Atlantic Ocean will tend to push farther upriver.

During droughts, that saltwater could stress natural ecosystems and threaten the quality of drinking water supplies for Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Currently, New York City’s reservoirs — located 200 miles away — bear much of the responsibility for pushing saltwater back toward the ocean during droughts.

But recent scientific analyses have shown that water from our reservoirs might not be enough to repel that saltwater during the most severe droughts.

That’s why a group of scientists from the four basin states and New York City, along with significant support from the Delaware River Basin Commission, agreed several years ago to examine other reservoirs that could contribute water to the river during the most dire droughts.

This study of Francis E. Walter Reservoir will focus on that question, while also analyzing whether its operations could be enhanced to benefit local residents during nondrought times.

We believe this needs to be an honest study based on sound, objective science, and not the desires of New York City or any other individual group. The study must account for the needs of all stakeholders in the Lehigh Valley who rely on the reservoir for flood protection, recreation, tourism and other benefits.

New York City is not interested in drinking water from Francis E. Walter Reservoir or controlling its operations.

Our water system has 19 reservoirs in New York, and that is frankly more than enough for us. We are, however, interested in seeing the Army Corps conduct a fair, comprehensive, science-based study that could help all of us who rely on the Delaware River to survive and thrive.

I look forward to meeting many of you in person on Thursday night and discussing this important work.

Paul Rush, P.E., oversees the operation, maintenance and protection of New York City’s water supply system. He is deputy commissioner for the Bureau of Water Supply at the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.