State of New York’s Public Surface Water Supply Protection Act - Fall

Advisor: Tanya Heikkila

This workshop report develops an implementation plan for New York State’s Public Surface Water Supply Protection Act, legislation designed to protect surface water resources through the establishment of watershed buffer zones. Surface water systems are particularly vulnerable to contamination from residential development, agricultural runoff, and impervious surfaces that reduce the land’s natural filtration capacity. Because approximately 95 percent of New York State’s drinking water originates within the state—and much of it from surface water sources—protecting watershed integrity is critical for maintaining water quality and avoiding costly treatment requirements. The report focuses especially on New York City’s reliance on the Catskill–Delaware watershed, which supplies roughly 90 percent of the city’s drinking water and currently qualifies for a federal Filtration Avoidance Determination due to the watershed’s high natural water quality.

The proposed implementation strategy centers on the creation of regulated buffer zones surrounding streams and surface waters. These zones protect riparian vegetation and soils that naturally filter contaminants before they reach water systems. The plan recommends a three-zone buffer model, with widths of 200–300 feet around key waterways to account for the steep topography of many upstate watersheds. Implementation would be coordinated through existing agencies, particularly the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Key program components include establishing and mapping buffer zones, creating a permitting system for allowable activities, monitoring watershed conditions, and enforcing compliance. With a projected first-year budget slightly above $500,000—approximately 0.2 percent of the Bureau of Water Supply’s operating budget—the program is considered financially feasible. The report concludes that proactive watershed protection represents a cost-effective strategy to safeguard drinking water resources and maintain New York City’s filtration avoidance status while preventing future contamination risks.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.