New York City—the Metropolis Built on Water – Common Edge

Report on “Waterworks: The Hidden Water System of New York” and Its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

A new publication by photographer Stanley Greenberg, titled Waterworks: The Hidden Water System of New York, provides a comprehensive visual documentation of New York City’s extensive water infrastructure. This project, a culmination of decades of research and photography, highlights the critical systems responsible for the city’s viability and directly relates to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning clean water, sustainable cities, and resilient infrastructure.

Project Scope and Relevance to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

The “Waterworks” project systematically documents the often-unseen components of New York’s water management system. This undertaking provides a crucial visual archive of the infrastructure that ensures the achievement of SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for millions of residents. The project’s focus includes:

• Reservoirs and aqueducts, including the historic Croton Aqueduct system.
• Water tunnels and their associated shaft sites.
• Gatehouses and pumping stations vital for water distribution.
• Wastewater treatment plants and stormwater facilities responsible for sanitation.
• Maintenance access points and other hidden-in-plain-sight structures.

By cataloging these elements, from upstate reservoirs to Long Island, the work underscores the immense scale of the system required to provide safe and accessible water, a primary target of SDG 6.

Infrastructure as a Foundation for SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The report emphasizes that New York City’s development is intrinsically linked to its water infrastructure. The historical decision for Brooklyn to join New York City in 1898 was largely driven by the need to access the superior water supply being developed from the Catskills. This illustrates how robust infrastructure is a prerequisite for urban growth and sustainability, a core principle of SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

The project serves as an educational tool, with a supplementary map and a detailed digital guide that has already attracted significant public interest. This engagement fosters public awareness and appreciation for the complex systems that make urban life possible, contributing to the creation of inclusive, safe, and resilient human settlements.

Documenting Resilient Infrastructure and Innovation (SDG 9)

Greenberg’s work captures what is described as a “miracle of 19th century engineering.” This legacy of forward-thinking design and construction is a testament to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. The project documents the evolution of this infrastructure, including its adaptation over time.

Project Execution and Challenges

The creation of “Waterworks” involved a multi-stage process that highlights both methodological approaches and institutional challenges.

1. Initial Research: The project originated from Greenberg’s work organizing the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) archives, where he cataloged over 10,000 historical photographs and drawings.
2. Bureaucratic Hurdles: Initial requests for site access were denied by the DEP, citing security concerns. Despite Greenberg’s previous work in city government, access was only granted under a new commissioner and required official escorts. This experience points to the complexities of documenting critical public infrastructure.
3. Photographic Process: A combination of photographic formats was used. The original work utilized a 4×5 view camera, while more recent photographs were taken with medium-format digital cameras. This flexible approach allowed for comprehensive documentation across various site conditions.
4. Post-Publication Engagement: Following the publication of the first edition, the DEP, which had initially resisted the project, purchased 200 copies, indicating an eventual recognition of the work’s value.

The project also implicitly touches upon SDG 13: Climate Action, as Greenberg references a report on upgrading sewer pumping stations following Hurricane Sandy. This highlights the ongoing need to adapt and enhance historical infrastructure to build resilience against the impacts of climate change.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The article’s central theme is New York City’s water infrastructure, which is directly responsible for providing clean water and managing sanitation for the city. It explicitly mentions “reservoirs, aqueducts, tunnels, gatehouses, pumping stations, water tanks, wastewater treatment plants, [and] stormwater facilities,” all of which are fundamental components for achieving SDG 6.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The article describes the water system as a “miracle of 19th century engineering” and a vast, “well over a century old” infrastructure. This highlights the development of quality, reliable, and sustainable infrastructure. The discussion of upgrading sewer pumping stations after Hurricane Sandy also points to the goal of building resilient infrastructure.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The text emphasizes that the water system is “the reason New York is New York” and enabled its growth, linking essential services to urban development. The need to upgrade infrastructure in response to “Hurricane Sandy” connects directly to making cities more resilient to climate-related disasters.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article references the impact of a major climate-related event, “Hurricane Sandy,” and the subsequent actions taken, such as the plan for “upgrading the sewer pumping stations.” This demonstrates a direct response to strengthen infrastructure resilience against climate-related hazards and natural disasters.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. The article describes the comprehensive system designed for “bringing water into… the city,” which serves the entire population of New York City.
   • Target 6.3: Improve water quality by… halving the proportion of untreated wastewater. The mention of “wastewater treatment plants” and “120 sewer pumping stations” points directly to the infrastructure required to treat wastewater before it is released.
   • Target 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management. The system’s design, which draws water from upstate sources like the “Catskills” and “Cross River Reservoir” to supply the urban center, is a clear example of integrated management across different regions.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The article details the city’s extensive and long-lasting water infrastructure, including “three water tunnels” and the “Croton Aqueduct,” describing it as a “forward thinking” system that has supported the city’s development for over a century.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.5: Significantly reduce the number of people affected… by disasters, including water-related disasters. The reference to a “big report done after Hurricane Sandy about upgrading the sewer pumping stations” shows a direct effort to strengthen infrastructure to protect the city and its inhabitants from future water-related disasters.
   • Target 11.a: Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban… and rural areas. The water system is a physical manifestation of this target, creating a crucial link between the rural areas that house the reservoirs (“upstate to Long Island”) and the urban population of New York City that depends on this water.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters. The specific action of “upgrading the sewer pumping stations” as a result of a report following “Hurricane Sandy” is a direct measure to adapt infrastructure and strengthen its resilience to extreme weather events.

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)

   • The existence of infrastructure components such as “wastewater treatment plants” and “120 sewer pumping stations” serves as a quantitative indicator of the city’s capacity for wastewater treatment (relevant to Target 6.3).
   • The mapping of “more than 400 locations” related to the water system is an indicator of the comprehensive coverage and management of water resources (relevant to Target 6.5).

2. For SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)

   • The age of the system (“well over a century old”) is an indicator of its historical reliability and sustainability (relevant to Target 9.1).
   • The project to “upgrading the sewer pumping stations” after a major storm is a direct indicator of investment in improving infrastructure resilience (relevant to Target 9.1).

3. For SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

   • The creation of a “big report done after Hurricane Sandy” and the subsequent upgrades imply the development and implementation of a local disaster risk reduction strategy, which is a key indicator for Target 11.5.

4. For SDG 13 (Climate Action)

   • The implementation of plans to upgrade infrastructure (“upgrading the sewer pumping stations”) based on a post-disaster report (“report done after Hurricane Sandy”) serves as an indicator of a functioning strategy for adaptation to climate change (relevant to Target 13.1).

Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: commonedge.org