Nora Machine is one of the world’s most advanced tunnel-boring machines. Photo: NYC Water.

The DEP commences the largest repair project in the history of the New York City’s water system. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection has since 1992 been monitoring two leaking sections of the Delaware Aqueduct—one in the Orange County town of Newburgh, and the other in the Ulster County town of Wawarsing. The leaks release an estimated 20-30 million gallons of water per day.  All of the data gathered shows that the leak rate has remained constant and the cracks have not worsened since DEP began monitoring the two leaks in 1992.  In 2010, the City announced a plan to address the leaks by building a permanent 2.5 mile bypass tunnel around the leaking section of the aqueduct in Newburgh. The 2.5-mile bypass will be constructed 600 feet below the Hudson River—from Newburgh on the West Shore to Wappinger Falls on the East Shore.  (read more…)