Friday, May 30, 2014

Governors Island still will not have drinkable water this summer


EXP;RICHARD DREW/AP Four years after it took over the island, the city has yet to complete its grand plans for rebuilding a $ 15 million tunnel under the Buttermilk Channel to bring in drinking water.

It’s going to be a long, dry summer on Governors Island.


The former military base turned city park reopened to great fanfare last week following a $ 75 million renovation — but it still has no drinkable tap water anywhere on its 172 acres.


And it probably won’t all summer long.


NYC PAPERS OUT. Social media use restricted to low res file max 184 x 128 pixels and 72 dpiNorman Y. Lono/for New York Daily News A spokeswoman for the Trust for Governors Island, the non-profit the city tasked with managing the island, said the tunnel would be done by the “end” of the summer, but gave no firm date.

Four years after it took over the island, the city has yet to complete its grand plans for rebuilding a $ 15 million tunnel under the Buttermilk Channel to bring in drinking water.


A spokeswoman for the Trust for Governors Island, the non-profit the city tasked with managing the island, said the tunnel would be done by the “end” of the summer, but gave no firm date.


NYC PAPERS OUT. Social media use restricted to low res file max 184 x 128 pixels and 72 dpiNorman Y. Lono/for New York Daily News Day trippers are warned to bring their own H2O when boarding the quick ferry ride to the island, or they can buy bottled water for $ 2 once they get there — if they’re lucky.

Day trippers are warned to bring their own H2O when boarding the quick ferry ride to the island, or they can buy bottled water for $ 2 once they get there — if they’re lucky.


On Memorial Day — when the temps were around 80 degrees — vendors on the island ran out of water, said NYC Park Advocates founder and president Geoffrey Croft.


Exported.;Altman, Jennifer Despite the drinking water drought, the island does have water for its public toilets and sinks, but it’s not drinkable. Pictured is a broken water fountain at Columbus Park in Manhattan.

Croft said it’s “imperative” the island get its own water supply, calling it a “public safety” issue.


“It’s unfortunate the island won’t have it for another summer,” he said.


NYC PAPERS OUT. Social media use restricted to low res file max 184 x 128 pixels and 72 dpiNorman Y. Lono/for New York Daily News The Coast Guard, which left the island in 1997, had its own water filtration system, but the water was later designated unsafe for drinking.

Despite the drinking water drought, the island does have water for its public toilets and sinks, but it’s not drinkable.


The Coast Guard, which left the island in 1997, had its own water filtration system, but the water was later designated unsafe for drinking.


The lack of drinking water is particularly disappointing because the park offers plenty of ways to work up a sweat.


The recent renovation included a new 30-acre park on the island’s southern tip, new landscaping and ballfields.


There’s also a mini-golf course that’s expected to open on June 7.





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