Join the NYC Department of Environmental Protection for an inside look at the operations of the Leak Detection team and learn how their work protects New Yorkers’ water supply.

Each day, a billion gallons of drinking water travel through 7,000 miles of underground pipes in the five boroughs to New Yorkers’ taps. New York City has one of the most reliable water delivery systems in the country, and NYC DEP is hard at work to keep it that way. The Leak Detection team proactively canvases to catch leaking water mains before they lead to major breaks, which can cause major disruptions to service. 

Using stethoscope-like devices to listen to the streets, the Leak Detection Team pinpoints the location of leaks so repair teams can get to work. Working at night, when the city is comparatively quiet, the Leak Detection team can listen to 40,000 feet of water mains per shift. 

On this midnight tour with Beth DeFalco, Deputy Commissioner for Public Affairs & Communications, and John Castiglione, Field Operations Manhattan Borough Manager, participants will see the Leak Detection team in action and have the opportunity to listen to the water mains beneath our streets.

The tour will take place entirely outdoors, and participants will be standing throughout.

Participants must be 18 or older.