The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in Central Park

On the subject of water, New Yorkers are understandably spoiled. Our vast network of reservoirs, aqueducts and tunnels almost effortlessly provides eight million of us with more than a billion gallons of water a day. Among the cleanest water systems on Earth, it is a seemingly inexhaustible resource that we tend to take for granted. But it is finite. As the English sage Thomas Fuller wrote,“We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.”

That is a tough message to convey to New Yorkers, who have not experienced a drought in some 30 years. And yet, climate patterns are changing. One-sixth of the world’s population is water stressed. Scientists believe the global supply of fresh water is diminishing. And our local water supply is subject to the risks of pollutants, microorganisms, and the potential effects of fracking.

The New York Conference on Water will explore what New Yorkers can do to preserve and protect this precious resource. It will also examine how water presents the city with opportunities, such as recreation and transportation, as well as risks, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather. Finally, the Conference will discuss the many ways that water has defined New York for centuries as a great international port of trade and as a nexus for immigrants and travelers across the world.

Purchase tickets here.