Road salt threatens New York City drinking water supply
March 21, 2025
Riverkeeper Team
A new study from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection confirms what Riverkeeper has long warned: road salt and human activities are driving dangerously high salinity levels in sources of drinking water for New York City.
Salinity in the New Croton Reservoir, which supplies drinking water to New York City residents, has tripled in 30 years and could exceed state limits by 2108 if action isn’t taken. High levels of salinity can impact human health by contributing to high blood pressure and hypertension, and can also significantly impact watershed biodiversity and ecosystems.
The trend is clear — our water supply is at risk. We urge immediate measures to curb salt pollution and protect the long-term health of our drinking water and ecosystems.
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