The Present, Part II
For generations, New York City residents have been able to access their water supply without a sense of the back story. There were (and still are) mounting hardships and sacrifices that residents in the watershed face, while massive public works projects spanning over a century have allowed city residents and visitors access to this healthy, clean resource. Even with the financial assistance the city provides, watershed communities are often unseen stewards who hold the responsibility of protecting the city’s water supply. Like any public system, New York City’s drinking water needs support from all of its more than eight million users. Learning from the rich and intricate complexity that is New York City’s public drinking water system and treating public space like a commons with stakeholders, stewards, and allies is integral for it to thrive and be a more just system.
