Water in New York City is a story of greed and bureaucracy in public service where it least belongs but always does. It’s also the story of how a new nation takes shape. You just have to be patient. And in the case of NYC water, very patient!
Whoever had the idea that the streets of New York were paved in gold was lucky enough to miss about 100 years of filth flowing down the streets and fouling the drinking water. Good thing someone thought to pipe in fresh water. Did it work? No….
Manhattan’s drinking water has always been famous. However, in the 18th century, you were lucky if it made decent tea.
