Construction begins on Central Park stormwater recirculation system

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Central Park's Pool, Loch, and Harlem Meer have long been topped off with city drinking water that drains into the combined sewer system. A $35.7 million project underway in the park's north end will recirculate and filter that water instead.

The system pumps water from the Harlem Meer to the Pool, filters it, and lets gravity carry it through the Loch and back. Operators can also lower the Meer before storms to store runoff from a 204-acre portion of the park. Construction runs through fall 2028.

Why it matters

Harlem and East Harlem get less flooding during heavy rain, while New York saves 175 million gallons of drinking water a year.

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Key Indicators

$35.7M

Project cost

Total budget for the North End Recirculation System.

175M gallons/year

Drinking water conserved annually

Projected reduction in potable water use for the Pool, Loch, and Harlem Meer.

132M gallons/year

Water kept out of sewers annually

Projected volume diverted from the combined sewer system serving Harlem and East Harlem.

90%

Stormwater flow reduction

Projected cut in stormwater flows from the managed park area to combined sewers.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Betsy Smith

President and CEO, Central Park Conservancy

Leading the project

Lisa F. Garcia

Commissioner, NYC Department of Environmental Protection

Overseeing city funding and stormwater coordination

Zohran Kwame Mamdani

Mayor of New York City

Announced the groundbreaking alongside Governor Hochul

Kathy Hochul

Governor of New York

Provided $10 million in state funding through the Environmental Bond Act

Organizations Involved

Central Park Conservancy

Nonprofit

Leading the project

The nonprofit that manages Central Park under contract with NYC Parks.

NYC Department of Environmental Protection

City agency

Funding and regulatory partner

The city agency managing New York's water supply, sewers, and stormwater systems.

eDesign Dynamics

Engineering firm

Lead design consultant

Engineering firm leading design of the recirculation system.

NYC Department of Parks and Recreation

City agency

Partner agency

City agency that owns Central Park and co-partners in the project.

Timeline

November 2022 October 2026

4 events Latest: Today

Tap a bar to jump to that date

October 2026
City and state officials announce groundbreaking
Today Announcement

Mayor Mamdani, Governor Hochul, and park officials publicize the project's start.
Today
Groundbreaking at Harlem Meer
Construction

Construction begins on the North End Recirculation System connecting the Pool, Loch, and Harlem Meer.
2 days ago
April 2025
Archaeological testing along pipeline route
Planning

Testing identifies sections of the pipeline route where archaeological monitoring is recommended during construction.
April 2025
November 2022
New York voters pass Environmental Bond Act
Funding

Voters approve the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, creating the funding source for the project's $10 million state grant.
November 2022

Scenarios

System complete and operating by fall 2028

Likely Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: NYC officials and the Central Park Conservancy

Construction proceeds through the landmarked park without major delays. The system is commissioned by fall 2028 and begins recirculating water, achieving the projected conservation and flood-reduction targets.

Construction delays push completion past 2028

Possible Resolves by Q2 2029

Discussed by: Engineering News-Record

Buried infrastructure across the North Meadow, archaeological monitoring requirements, and coordination with multiple agencies could slow the work. Unforeseen subsurface conditions in the 150-year-old park could force design changes.

System underperforms projected water conservation targets

Unlikely Resolves by Jan 31, 2030

Discussed by: Engineering News-Record noted the figures are projections

The 175-million-gallon conservation figure and 90% stormwater reduction are projections from city officials and the Conservancy, not guaranteed outcomes. Actual performance will be measured after the system starts operating, and shortfalls could require operational adjustments or added infrastructure.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1858-1873

Central Park's original construction (1858-1873)

Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux designed Central Park with artificial water bodies, including the Pool, Loch, and Harlem Meer, fed by natural springs and later supplemented with city water as demand grew.

Then

The park opened in stages starting in 1858, with its engineered water features becoming central to the landscape design.

Now

The park's water features have always required active management; the original spring-fed supply proved insufficient over time, creating the dependence on drinking water the new system aims to break.

Why this matters now

The recirculation project is the latest chapter in managing the park's artificially sustained water system, which has never been self-sufficient.

1990

Harlem Meer restoration (1990)

The Central Park Conservancy restored the Harlem Meer, reconstructing its shoreline and dredging the water body as part of the nonprofit's early restoration work in the park's north end.

Then

The restored Meer became a centerpiece of the park's northern landscape and a model for the Conservancy's restoration approach.

Now

The project established the Conservancy's pattern of large capital improvements in the park, culminating in the current recirculation system.

Why this matters now

The Conservancy explicitly cites the 1990 Meer restoration as the foundation for its ongoing work at the park's north end.

2016-2025

Thames Tideway Tunnel (2016-2025)

London built a 16-mile 'super-sewer' beneath the River Thames to capture combined sewer overflows that routinely dumped untreated sewage into the river. The multi-billion-dollar tunnel began operating in 2025.

Then

The tunnel now captures roughly 95% of the city's sewage overflows, stopping most discharges into the Thames.

Now

It set a global benchmark for urban combined sewer overflow mitigation, which cities like New York study as they modernize stormwater systems.

Why this matters now

The Central Park project is a park-scale response to the same combined sewer overflow problem that drove London's massive infrastructure investment.