NYC Department of Environmental Protection Begins $1.9 Billion Water Tunnel Project in Westchester County
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The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has commenced a $1.9 billion project aimed at strengthening the city’s water infrastructure. The Kensico-Eastview Connection (KEC) will involve constructing a 2-mile-long tunnel in Westchester County, providing improved flexibility between key water supply systems that serve more than 9 million people in New York City and southern Westchester County.
This major project will create a tunnel running about 500 feet underground, connecting the Kensico Reservoir to the Catskill-Delaware Ultraviolet Light Disinfection Facility (CDUV). The tunnel will allow DEP to carry out maintenance and inspections on critical infrastructure without interrupting water delivery. This new redundancy is crucial for ensuring reliable access to high-quality drinking water for the city’s growing population.
The KEC tunnel project is expected to be completed over the next decade, with the tunnel coming fully online by 2035. The construction work, which has just started, includes the excavation of two large vertical shafts and the tunneling between them. These efforts will create hundreds of jobs for local workers and contribute to economic growth in the region.
The Kensico Reservoir, located north of White Plains, is a key component of the Catskill-Delaware Water Supply System, which provides about 1 billion gallons of drinking water each day to New York City residents. The CDUV, located in Eastview, is the largest ultraviolet water disinfection facility in the world and ensures that the water remains safe and clean before reaching consumers.
As part of the KEC project, various upgrades will be made to the Kensico Reservoir facilities. These include improving the intake chamber, enhancing the shoreline to prevent sediment from contaminating the water, and upgrading utility systems on the reservoir’s campus. These efforts will ensure the continued safety and efficiency of the water supply system.
At the CDUV facility, new infrastructure will be built to receive water from the tunnel, and additional improvements related to drainage, stormwater, and utilities will be made. These enhancements will help maintain the quality of water supplied to millions of people in New York City and Westchester County.
This ambitious water tunnel project is part of a broader $3 billion investment in the water system of Westchester County. DEP continues to make significant investments to maintain and expand New York’s vast water network, which includes 19 reservoirs, 3 controlled lakes, and over 7,000 miles of tunnels and aqueducts.
By constructing the Kensico-Eastview Connection, DEP is ensuring that New York City’s water infrastructure will remain resilient and adaptable for decades to come. With a $29 billion capital plan in place, DEP is committed to safeguarding the city’s water supply and meeting the needs of future generations.
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