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Following New York City’s Drinking Water from Source to Tap

800 532 Stroud Water Research Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 28, 2008

Avondale, Pa. – In July, 2007, twelve high school students from the New York Harbor School in Brooklyn and Sidney High School in Delaware County embarked on a “Mountaintop to Tap” trek, tracing New York City’s drinking water supply from the Catskill Mountains to New York City. During the more than 200-mile journey, the students measured the water quality of streams, rivers and reservoirs; talked to public officials; and shared with the public what they learned. The purpose of the 3-week “Mountaintop to Tap” trek was to educate New Yorkers about the source of their first-rate drinking water through the students’ work.

The Catskill Center’s Erpf Gallery presents “Mountaintop to Tap,” an exhibition of photographic work by the twelve students involved in the trek. They hiked from Slide Mountain in the Catskills, rowed 80 miles down the Hudson River from Kingston to Croton in two 12-foot surf-dories, and completed the trek in Central Park.

  • The exhibit runs March 1 to April 26, 2008. The public is invited to view the students’ photographs and read excerpts from their journals.
  • Opening reception on Saturday, March 1, 3-5pm at the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, Route 28, Arkville, NY. www.catskillcenter.org

The “Mountaintop to Tap” documentary will have its premiere on March 28. A documentary film crew from Delhi Stories LLC recorded the trekkers as they hiked and rowed their way along the route of New York City’s water supply. The public is invited to see the 35-minute feature documentary.

  • Premiere on Friday, March 28, 10am at The New York Harbor School Auditorium, 400 Irving Avenue, Bushwick Campus, Brooklyn, NY. Student trekkers will be in attendance. https://www.newyorkharborschool.org/
  • Second showing on Saturday, April 19, 10am at The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, Route 28, Arkville, NY. The filmmakers will be in attendance to answer questions. http://www.catskillcenter.org/

The Queens Museum of Art, NY will present the “Mountaintop to Tap” Photography Exhibit starting May 17, 2008. Check www.queensmuseum.org for upcoming details.

Stroud Water Research Center organized the “Mountaintop to Tap” trek with The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, Catskill Mountainkeeper, New York Harbor School, New York City Department of Environmental Protection and Riverkeeper.

“Mountaintop to Tap” was made possible with the generous support of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation and the Leo Model Foundation. Additional support was provided by the New York City Environmental Fund and Fujifilm U.S.A., Inc. Funding for the exhibit provided by: Catskill Watershed Corporation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, the Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation and the Leo Model Foundation. Learn more about the trek and additional trek supporters »