<P> The distribution system is made up of an extensive grid of water mains stretching approximately 6,500 miles (10,500 km). </P> <P> In order to comply with federal and state laws regarding the filtration and disinfection of drinking water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New York State Department of Health called on the city to create a treatment plan to serve the Croton System . The underground filtration plant is under construction in Van Cortlandt Park . While the Bloomberg administration originally budgeted the project at $992 million in 2003, an audit by the city's comptroller placed the actual costs at $2.1 billion in August 2009 . </P> <P> The New York City water supply system leaks at a rate of up to 36 million US gallons (140,000 m) per day . A complex five - year project with an estimated $240 million construction cost was initiated in November 2008, to correct some of this leakage . </P> <P> The construction of Water tunnel No. 3 is intended to provide the city with a critical third connection to its Upstate New York water supply system, allowing the city to close tunnels No. 1 and No. 2 for repair for the first time of their history . The tunnel will eventually be more than 60 miles (97 km) long . Construction on the tunnel began in 1970, and its first and second phases are completed . The latter opened with a ceremony under Central Park, in 2013 . Completion of all phases is not expected until at least 2020 . </P>

Where does new york get its water from