JOIN THE FIGHT TO PROTECT THE KENSICO WATERSHED

The Kensico Watershed is a crucial source of New York's water supply and biodiversity.

Who needs Kensico

The Kensico Reservoir supplies clean drinking water to over 9 million people across New York City and more than 70 upstate communities and institutions in Ulster, Orange, Putnam and Westchester counties

Clean water for more than 9 million people
Kensico Reservoir consists of a western main basin and an eastern Rye Lake portion, with water passing freely between the two. It holds 30.6 billion gallons at full capacity. The major function of Kensico Reservoir is to receive water from all six Catskill and Delaware system reservoirs, and to make those waters available for the fluctuating daily consumption demands of New York City and many upstate communities.
WJWW must build a new filtration plant
Westchester Joint Waterworks was ordered by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to build a new water filtration plant for the the Rye Lake portion of the Kensico Reservoir.

In 2002, WJWW purchased the land shown to the right in yellow for the express purpose of constructing the water filtration plant. It took a number of years, but finally plans were developed, and an environmental impact study was performed in 2007 which validated the suitability of the site. However, in 2008, the $100M+ investment was put on hold.

Fast Forward 15 Years
For reasons which are unclear, at this point in time, the WJWW is proposing to swap the land they currently own for land owned by the airport directly adjacent to Purchase Street (shown in the image to the right). New plans have been drafted to build the filtration plant on the swapped land which lies within the boundary of the Kensico Reservoir watershed
Why Risk Building a Huge Industrial Plant Within the Kensico Watershed?
This location has been opposed by the NYC DEP on multiple occasions because of the unnecessary risks that it poses to the Kensico Reservoir. PFAS "forever chemicals" have been found in wells adjacent to this parcel, and the WJWW have never adequately tested on the property for PFAS. Disturbing the soil by building down 30 feet (as planned) creates a huge risk of contaminated run-off.
image
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What is The problem
The WJWW already has what it needs to build the water treatment facility.

For decades, the Westchester Joint Water Works (WJWW) has been alarmingly slow to act on repeated directives issued by New York state and eventually the federal government to build a filtration facility. After years of extensive planning, impact studies, and negotiations, WJWW was on the brink of building its facility on a safe, economically viable parcel of land. However, in a shocking turn of events, WJWW suddenly proposed a land swap to construct its industrial facility within the Kensico Reservoir's watershed with questionable due diligence. The original site purchased in 2002, outside of the Kensico Watershed, is more well suited for the contruction of the new plant.

TIMELINE

May

2022

What:NY DEP Objects
When: 5/2022
What: NY DEP Objects

The proposed action would result in 6.16 acres of disturbance in close proximity to the Kensico Reservoir resulting in over 2 acres of new impervious surface and storage of at least 6 different chemicals on site. Based on the information presented in the Environmental Impact Statement and thus far throughout the SEQRA process, constructing the facility on the existing WJWW property would meet the WJWW's objective as a similar cost and allow for regulatory compliance while at the same time locating the facility and any inherent adverse impacts outside the boundary of Kensico Reservoir.

Oct

2022

What:NY DEP Objects, Again
When: 10/2022
What: NY DEP Objects, Again

Based upon review of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), DEP comments that the discussion of why the filtration plan was not located at the original site is inadequate. Of course, each alternative site will result in environmental impacts, however, deciding to locate the project within the New York City Watershed should warrant a more detailed quantified justification. There does not appear to be a compelling reason why the filtration plant could not be located outside of the NYC watershed.

Feb

2023

What:Tom Murphy, Mamaroneck Mayor, says land swap is better for the airport
When: 2/2023
What: Tom Murphy, Mamaroneck Mayor, says land swap is better for the airport

In the linked video from the lohud.com website, at the 17 second mark, Mayor Murphy says, “It’s better for the airport.” At 1:12, he says, “We’re providing water service to the airport.” The needs of the airport are NEVER MENTIONED in any of the WJWW documentation. Clearly, the needs of the Airport for water, both present and especially future, are important, undisclosed, motivations in these decisions.

Jun

2023

What:Westchester County Executive, George Latimer, Questions WJWW
When: 6/2023
What: Westchester County Executive, George Latimer, Questions WJWW

In a letter to WJWW Manager Paul Kutzy, Latimer outlined that Kutzy must explain in detail why Site 2 is superior to Site 1. Latimer states that "opposition to Site 1 no longer exists. WJWW is asking the County to make a decision for which the County will bear the brunt of public controversy. This may well affect other sensitive issues the County is dealing with at the Airport. Therefore, I expect both the County’s Executive Branch and Legislative Branch will conduct a detailed examination of the matter."

Oct

2023

What:PFAs
When: 10/2023
What: PFAs

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAs) are a group of manufactured chemicals. Current peer-reviewed scientific studies have shown that exposure to certain levels of PFAS may lead to:
  • Decreased Fertility
  • Developmental defects in children
  • Increased cancer risk
  • Reduced immune response
  • Increased Cholesterol
  • Hormone interference

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