Website Comment Summary
To a great extent, comments on this goal do not directly address the fundamental infrastructure issues behind the water network challenge. Discussions of water supply, distribution, and use are emphasized far less than water quality issues. Comments for these two goals overlap particularly strongly on the issues of improving public access to the waterfront, expanding ferry transportation, and supporting efforts to restore degraded ecosystems. As a result, few comments specifically address the key purpose of the goal, but instead discuss water quality-related topics.

Several comments emphasize the need to better leverage existing city water sources by constructing or repairing tunnels, improving treatment infrastructure and residential piping systems, and enhancing system security. Numerous comments encourage the development of systems designed to better control sewage overflows. Comments suggest encouraging the development of green roofs, water detainment systems, “natural” sewage treatment, and permeable pavements.

Other comments suggest that New York City should identify new water sources, including from upstate (e.g., Niagara Falls), New Jersey, Delaware, and through the construction of desalinization facilities.

Of the remaining relevant comments, many focus on developing more efficient ways of using our existing large-scale water distribution system. Conservation as a policy priority is a frequent theme, as well as the more widespread use of “greywater” systems to reduce the demand for potable water for non-consumptive uses. Comments advocate the toughening of water pollution fines and standards, and a rethinking of the current water rate structure so as to provide clear incentives for conservation.

Town Hall Comment Summary
Improve Water Infrastructure and Administration
“Finish 3rd water tunnel” was the most prevalent comment related to improving the City’s water infrastructure, and in one case, the text which followed said “and then immediately upgrade old tunnels.” Other shared remarks were to repair/upgrade plumbing in older buildings, “fix leaks city wide,” and expand water quality monitoring. Individual suggestions included: promote “distributed water storage” (with a separate specific comment to “use the Brooklyn-Queens aquifer for long-term emergency water storage”) and “establish a wireless water metering system to free up manpower and increase maintenance.”

Encourage Sustainable Alternatives
Numerous participants offered support for reducing the strain on our potable water resources by utilizing graywater and rainwater for non-potable uses. Specific ideas included: tax credits for graywater or rainwater harvesting and use, requirement that graywater be used for landscape irrigation, and even creation of a “dedicated graywater water network.” Several comments were made to investigate the feasibility of desalination as an alternative water source.

Protect Our Water Sources
Numerous comments also addressed the importance of protecting the upstate watershed. Individual suggestions included: “use new technologies to increase water supply,” “explore water resources to the west of the city,” and “expand use of natural systems for flood control and pollution control.”

Promote Conservation and Efficiency
Many participants supported efforts to encourage water conservation and efficiency. Individual suggestions included: incentivize low flow toilets, use “new technologies to recycle, conserve and supply water,” increase conservation education programs, and charge more for water to promote conservation.

Community Leader Comment Summary
Improve Water Infrastructure and Administration
Community leaders encouraged the city to add more water tunnels, “update water metering technology” and “establish distributed micro-metering,” and “rectify water pressure problems,” and “prevent CSO.” In terms of administration, individual suggestions included: “create a deputy mayor for infrastructure - must be a technical person,” “ensure best-qualified professionals are operating new infrastructure,” and “establish preventative maintenance programs.”

Sustainable Alternatives
Community leaders encouraged the use or exploration of alternatives to conventional potable water sources, including desalinated water, and, for non-potable water uses, rainwater, greywater, and groundwater.

Protect Our Water Sources
Several comments related to the protection of New York’s water sources to ensure long-term supply and quality, with particular mentions of the upstate watershed, reservoirs, Brooklyn/Queens aquifer, Hempstead Lake and suggestions to “return paved over areas to green areas.”

Promote Conservation and Efficiency
Many community leaders supported efforts to promote water conservation and efficiency by encouraging/requiring use of high efficiency fixtures, increasing water fees, enforcing billing rules, and expanding conservation education programs.