New Books Network Lucy Sante, "Nineteen Reservoirs: On Their Creation and the Promise of Water for New York City (The Experiment, 2022)
Sep 14, 2025
Lucy Sante, a seasoned writer and author of "Nineteen Reservoirs," dives into the intricate history of New York City's water supply system. She reveals how the construction of nineteen reservoirs reshaped both the city and its rural surroundings, leading to the displacement of communities. Sante discusses the tension between urban expansion and the ecological consequences of such massive projects. The conversation also touches on her literary influences and the ongoing struggles between local traditions and modern gentrification, all while emphasizing the importance of remembering forgotten histories.
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Lingering Local Resentment
- Lucy Sante recounts meeting locals near Pepacton who remained haunted by displacement from the 1950s.
- She describes families carrying resentments from 1911 to the present.
Longterm Technical Planning
- The reservoir project began as a visionary technical plan in the late 1800s and moved to construction by 1907.
- Engineers picked sites precisely after extensive testing and predicted optimal dam locations decades earlier.
City Prioritized Growth Over Locals
- New York City prioritized commercial pressure and infrastructure to supply tall buildings and industry.
- Officials often treated rural landowners as expendable compared to the city's growing population.
