NYC Water Kicks Ass
Mayor Bloomberg announced Monday that the citys drinking water is so gosh-darn clean that the federal government is [waiving a filtration requirement] for water coming from the Catskills/Delaware watershed, which provides 90 percent of the citys tap water. As part of the 10-year waiver deal that will save the city an estimated $8 billion, the city has agreed to acquire land surrounding the water sources in order to prevent development and pollution. It will also start using ultraviolet light as a disinfectant to reduce chlorine use.
Bloomberg had this enthusiastic little sound byte for reporters: New Yorkers can turn on the tap whenever they want and fill up a glass of some of the most delicious water on the planet Drinking tap water instead of bottled water is not only easier on your wallet, its also easier on the environment. Way to sell the deal, Mr. Bloomberg. Of course, were not sure he had to following an announcement earlier this week that labels on [Aquafina bottled water ]will now spell out the fact that the contents come from the same public source as good ol fashioned tap water.
In related news, for just the fourth time in its history, a [90-year-old fountain in the Central park] reservoir is running at full steam to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the tunnel systems that delivers water from the Catskills to the city. The fountain will only remain running through the fall, so be sure to check it out before it once again dries up until yet another not so notable anniversary rolls around.
Photo courtesy [bfurnace on Flickr]