New York City’s Famous Drinking Water Could Be at Risk From Road Salt Pollution

A new report warns that New York City may one day be forced to abandon part of its iconic drinking water supply as salt levels continue to rise. The Associated Press reports that the Croton Water System, which supplies about 10% of NYC’s tap water, is becoming increasingly salty due to decades of nearby road salt use.

The Croton system, which dates back to 1842, includes 12 reservoirs and 3 controlled lakes north of the city. Officials now warn that if current trends continue, the system could be too salty to use by the next century. “If we don’t change our ways, in 2100 the Croton Water System becomes a nice recreational facility, but it ceases to be a water supply,” said Rohit Aggarwala, NYC’s environmental protection commissioner.

Salt pollution is mainly driven by winter road treatment. Every year, millions of tons of rock salt are dumped on U.S. roads to prevent accidents. That salt doesn’t disappear — it seeps into soil, streams, and water supplies. Other contributors include water softeners and sewage discharge.

The study shows chloride levels in the main Croton reservoir have tripled since 1987. If no action is taken, it’s on track to exceed safe levels by 2108. Though 90% of NYC’s water comes from the Delaware and Catskill watersheds, which are less developed and less impacted, the Croton system still serves millions — including several municipalities outside the city.

Experts like Riverkeeper’s Shannon Roback say this is part of a broader issue. “We’ve seen rising levels of salt in water in the Northeast, in the Midwest and in most places that use road salt,” she noted.

This is a wake-up call. It’s time to rethink how we treat our roads and protect our water. Choosing salt-free alternatives, supporting legislation to limit road salt use, and advocating for plant-based diets — which have a much smaller environmental footprint — are all steps we can take to reduce Pollution and protect natural resources. Let’s keep our water clean and our planet kind.

Video Source: FOX 5 New York/Youtube

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