NEW YORK—A report outlining the impact on the city’s water rates if a filtration plant in the Catskill/Delaware watershed is built, was released on Thursday by the New York City Independent Budget Office (IBO).
Approximately 90 percent of the city’s water comes from the watershed. Concern for the watershed arose after drilling for natural gas had been discussed this year. As the state considers the proposition, many are worried about chemical contamination in the water.
According to the IBO report, the state and the city have allocated $630 million spread over 10 years, for a preventative filtration plan in order to avoid building a filtration plant—an estimated $10 billion project. The plant would be necessary should chemical runoff from development and drilling occur.
According to IBO estimates, were the filtration plant built, single-family homeowners could expect to pay an additional $367 on their water bill per year.
Politicians and the New York Department of Environmental Protection have used the costly threat of a $10 billion filtration plant as an argument against drilling for natural gas in the watershed region.
Since 2007, the city has had a 10-year filtration avoidance determination agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure water standards are met. Those opposed to the drilling say the consequences could potentially put the agreement at risk.
The IBO report states that though the filtration avoidance determination ends in 2017, the EPA can at any time request the water supply be filtered if the water supply for the city is endangered.
Approximately 90 percent of the city’s water comes from the watershed. Concern for the watershed arose after drilling for natural gas had been discussed this year. As the state considers the proposition, many are worried about chemical contamination in the water.
According to the IBO report, the state and the city have allocated $630 million spread over 10 years, for a preventative filtration plan in order to avoid building a filtration plant—an estimated $10 billion project. The plant would be necessary should chemical runoff from development and drilling occur.
According to IBO estimates, were the filtration plant built, single-family homeowners could expect to pay an additional $367 on their water bill per year.
Politicians and the New York Department of Environmental Protection have used the costly threat of a $10 billion filtration plant as an argument against drilling for natural gas in the watershed region.
Since 2007, the city has had a 10-year filtration avoidance determination agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure water standards are met. Those opposed to the drilling say the consequences could potentially put the agreement at risk.
The IBO report states that though the filtration avoidance determination ends in 2017, the EPA can at any time request the water supply be filtered if the water supply for the city is endangered.
