Opportunities and Challenges for Water Reuse Policy in New York City - Spring

Team Members: Katlin Stath, Baihe Wang, Josh Cooper, Brighton Kaoma, Siwei Pan, Jonathan Rubin, Jenisha Shrestha. Daniella Simari, Yuanyuan Wang, Julia Weigel

New York City faces increasing pressure on its water infrastructure due to population growth, aging systems, and climate change–driven risks such as drought, flooding, and saltwater intrusion. Although the city has historically relied on abundant, high-quality upstate water supplies, these conditions may not remain reliable under future climate scenarios. Water reuse—the practice of capturing, treating, and reusing non-potable water from sources such as greywater, stormwater, and building systems—offers an opportunity to improve long-term water sustainability, reduce demand on potable supplies, and enhance urban climate resilience. However, despite its potential, water reuse adoption in New York City remains extremely limited due to regulatory complexity, unclear agency jurisdiction, high upfront costs, and lack of public and developer awareness.

Policy and regulatory analysis identified fragmentation among oversight agencies, outdated plumbing and building codes, and insufficient financial incentives as key barriers to implementation. Clarifying regulatory authority, streamlining permitting processes, and updating building codes to facilitate reuse system integration would significantly reduce administrative obstacles. Economic analysis indicates that financial incentives—including tax credits, grants, and subsidies—are essential to offset high installation costs and encourage adoption, particularly in large commercial and multifamily buildings where reuse systems are most feasible. Expanding pilot projects and improving stakeholder education would further accelerate implementation by demonstrating feasibility and building public confidence. Strengthening water reuse policy would improve infrastructure resilience, reduce environmental impacts associated with water supply and wastewater treatment, and position New York City to manage future climate and resource challenges more sustainably.

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