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Why We Matter

Document Category: Who We Are

NYC Water Supply

Written by Mike Biolsi on .

New York City Water Supply System

New York City’s water supply is one of the largest surface water systems in the world — and one of only five in the U.S. that still delivers unfiltered surface water. Every day, the system provides 1.1 billion gallons of safe drinking water to more than nine million people (nearly half of New York State’s population).

The Watersheds

NYC’s water comes from two primary sources:

  • Catskill / Delaware Watersheds
    1,597 sq. miles, West of the Hudson
  • Croton Watershed

    375 sq. miles, East of the Hudson

Together, they cover 1,972 sq. miles (about 1.2 million acres) and include 19 reservoirs and 3 controlled lakes.

Catskill/Delaware Watersheds (West of Hudson)

  • Location

    Delaware, Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster counties 

  • Area

    1,597 sq. miles

  • Supplies

    ~90% of NYC’s daily water 

  • Characteristics

    Largely rural, small to mid-sized dairy/vegetable farms, ~75% forested (85% privately owned) 

  • Reservoirs (6)

    Ashokan, Cannonsville, Neversink, Pepacton, Rondout, Schoharie

See our program footprint map and check to see if you are in the NYC Watershed here. 

Footprint Map

Croton Watershed (East of Hudson)

  • Location

    Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties (NY) + Fairfield County (CT) 

  • Area

    375 sq. miles

  • Supplies

    ~10% of NYC’s daily water (up to 30% in droughts or emergencies), the Croton Watershed is filtered

  • Characteristics

    Predominantly forested; mix of farms, horses, and horticulture under development pressure 

  • Reservoirs (13)

    Amawalk, Bog Brook, Cross River, Croton Falls, Diverting, East Branch, Kensico, Middle Branch, Muscoot, New Croton, Titicus, West Branch, Boyds Corner

  • Controlled Lakes (3)

    Kirk Lake, Lake Gilead, Lake Gleneida

Click to expand
Are you in the NYC Watershed?

View our boundary map.

Map

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History

Written by Mike Biolsi on .

Timeline of the WAC History

Time Machine

[triangle-down]

2020

2019

30,000 Acres of Land Protected

The Conservation Easement program has protected over 30,000 acres of farm and forest land for 200+ NYC Watershed families.

[more]

2018

WAC’s 25th Anniversary

  • West of Hudson Agricultural Program has 290 Farms covering 153,000 Acres
  • Easement Program has 28,500+ acres of farm and forest land protected
  • 120,000 acres of managed forest land, 500+ miles of logging trails stabilized
  • 300 Pure Catskills members
  • 78 farms covering 10,000+ acres in Croton Watershed
  • $255+ million spent in the Watershed on farm and forest projects to date

[more]

2017

NYC Filtration Avoidance Determination Renewed through 2027

[more]

2016

$43 Million Conservation Easement Stewardship Endowment

The endowment, which was funded by New York City, will be used by WAC to steward easement lands that are held by the council now and in the future.

Precision Feed Management Program launched

[more]

2015

Forestry Easement Pilot Program Launched

Conservation Easement program to protect forest lands implemented.
 
MyWoodlot website launches.

[more]

2014

Pure Catskills Rebranded to Include Forest Products

Pure Catskills brand expands to promote both Farm and Forest Products from producers of the NYC Watershed/Catskills region.

[more]

2011

Revitalized Mission

The Watershed Agricultural Council strives to promote the economic viability of agriculture and forestry, the protection of water quality, and the conservation of working landscapes through strong local leadership and sustainable public-private partnerships.

[more]

2007

Programs That Work

New York City drinking water continues to meet national standards. The Environmental Protection Agency extends the Filtration Avoidance Determination (F.A.D.) another ten years, a testament to the successes of this international watershed model with urban/rural benefits.

2010

[more]

2004

Pure Catskills Begins

  • Pure Catskills Buy-Local campaign begins showcasing watershed producers
  • The first Pure Catskills Guide to Products is published 

[more]

2000

Green Connections

NYC/Watershed Classroom partnership established

2000

[more]

1998

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Started

CREP Program adopted

  • To enhance the program by addressing stream edge barriers
  • 85% farm participation goal achieved

[more]

1997

NYC Memorandum of Agreement

Filtration FAD Goals Restructured
 
New Goals for:

  • Commenced Implementation
  • Substantially Implemented
  • Annual Status Reviews

East of Hudson Program started in the Croton Watershed

[more]

1996

Foresters Log On

  • The Green Book/Forestry Program established
  • BMPs used to train foresters and loggers in preventing non-point pollution

 
Economic Viability and Outreach Programs Started

[more]

1994

Implementation

Phase II Begins

  • Program Goal – 85% farms participating
  • Planning Goal of 1 WFP/month per Team
  • Cost Guideline Developed
  • Adoption of USDA standards

[more]

1993

Incorporation of WAC

EPA grants NYC a Waiver of filtration

  • Requires implementation of “Brown Book” Guiding Principles
  • Required Funding of Watershed Agricultural Program
  • Regulations developed for non-agricultural sources

[more]

1992

10 Pilot Farms Started

Phase I Begins

  • Develop, Test, Evaluate, Demonstrate, and Promote Whole Farm Planning process
  • Environmental Review Problem diagnosis developed, uses multiple barrier approach

[more]

1991

Collaboration

“Brown Book” Establishes Program Guidelines

  • NYC DEP agrees to pay 100% BMP cost to avoid filtration
  •  Protects farmers from expensive and unnecessary regulations

[more]

1990

NYC DEP Proposes Watershed Regulations

  • Livelihood of Farmers at risk
  • Agencies conduct Outreach Meetings
  • Ad Hoc Policy Task Force Formed
1990

[more]

1980

1986

Federal Safe Drinking Water Act

Filtration required for surface drinking water supplies

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Success Stories

Written by Mike Biolsi on .

There have been countless success stories at the Watershed Agricultural Council. Showcased here are various farmer stories and testimonials as well as before and after photos and videos of projects that have been completed to ensure the protection of water quality in the NYC Watershed.

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Career Opportunities

Written by Mike Biolsi on .

Join our team!

Current Openings

WAC Benefits

  • Health Insurance

    WAC offers its’ employees (and their families) Excellus BCBS for their health insurance needs. WAC pays 95% of this policy and offers a buyout for those employees who do not need this insurance.  

  • Dental and Vision Insurance

    WAC offers its’ employees (and their families) Guardian for their dental and vision insurance needs WAC pays 95% of this policy and offers a buyout for those employees who do not need this insurance.

  • Flexible Spending Plan

    Employees can choose to participate in a pre-tax flexible spending account.  This account can be used for medical, dental and vision costs not covered by insurance.

  • Retirement

    WAC contributes 8% of employees’ gross wages from day one of employment to a TIAA retirement plan. WAC’s contributions increase with years of service and a minimal required employee contribution.  Employees can opt to open a Supplemental Retirement account as well, funding this with pre-tax payroll deductions. 

  • Life Insurance (All Staff)

    WAC pays for a life insurance policy equivalent of 1-times the employee’s gross salary, with a maximum of a $50,000 policy.  UNUM also offers employees voluntary life insurance policies if they choose to participate.

  • Life Insurance (Managers)

    WAC pays for a $100,000 life insurance policy for managerial employees through William Penn or Secured Mutual.

  • Disability

    WAC pays for an employee’s short-term disability policy.  After one year of employment, WAC pays for a long-term disability policy for employees through First Reliance.

  • Mandatory taxes

    WAC pays the employer share of FICA/Medicare on behalf of employees.

Optional Coverage*

  • AFLAC

    AFLAC offers voluntary accident, hospitalization and cancer policies, should employees wish to participate.

  • Combined

    Combined offers voluntary life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, disability, hospital indemnity, and accident and critical illness plans for employees and their families, should employees wish to participate.  

*Voluntary insurance premiums are 100% employee paid at a substantially reduced group discount rate.

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Staff & Board

Written by Mike Biolsi on .

Want to join our team?

Visit our Careers page to see active job listings.

Careers

Directory Navigation

Staff Directory

Leadership Team

Program Coordinators

West of Hudson Program

Administrative & Finance
Agricultural Program
Conservation Easement Program
Economic Viability Program
Forestry Program

East of Hudson Program

Board Directory

Board of Directors

Non-Board Committee Members

2026 Committee Members

For a list of 2026 Committee Members click here. 

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About Us

Written by Mike Biolsi on .

Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC)

The Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) partners with farm and forest landowners across the New York City Watershed to protect clean drinking water for more than nine million New York residents.

Through Whole Farm Plans, Forest Management Plans, and Conservation Easements, we help landowners implement sustainable practices that improve water quality, reduce pollution, and strengthen working lands in both the Croton and Catskill/Delaware Watersheds. 

Widely recognized as a model public–private partnership, WAC uses a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) approach—an incentive-based system that empowers private landowners to act as stewards of New York City’s drinking water. Thanks to their voluntary participation, more than 1.1 billion gallons of clean water flow to city residents every day. 

Our work is guided by three pillars

  • 1

    Voluntary landowner participation

    in watershed programs.

  • 2

    Local control

    through our nonprofit structure.

  • 3

    Robust partnerships and funding

    from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, USDA, United States Forest Service, and others.

Collaboration is central to our approach. WAC partners with local, regional, state, and federal agencies—as well as nonprofits—drawing on the expertise of Cornell Cooperative Extensions, County Soil & Water Conservation Districts, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. 

Together, we provide landowners with the technical guidance, resources, and financial support needed to protect water and sustain working landscapes.
  • Mission

    To promote the economic viability of agriculture and forestry, protect water quality, and conserve working landscapes through strong local leadership and sustainable public–private partnerships. 

  • Vision

    A watershed where agriculture and forestry remain vital ways of life, water quality is safeguarded through science-based practices, and working lands are preserved for future generations. 

Values

Balance: Protecting water while sustaining working farms and forests. 

Stewardship: Conserving natural resources within active landscapes. 

Science-based Solutions: Applying proven best management practices. 

Collaboration: Building strong partnerships that advance our mission. 

Service: Supporting landowners, partners, and communities with care. 

Sustainability: Strengthening agriculture and forestry for the long term. 

Every day, WAC’s programs support thriving farm and forestry economies while preserving the watershed as New York City’s watershed, viewshed, and foodshed—a vital resource that nourishes both people and place for generations to come. 

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