NYC's water supply system is an engineering marvel that delivers over 1 billion gallons of clean drinking water daily. The water comes from a network of 19 reservoirs and 3 controlled lakes in the Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley, traveling up to 125 miles through massive aqueducts and tunnels to reach the city. The system includes approximately 7,000 miles of water mains that distribute water throughout the five boroughs. NYC water is among the highest quality in the nation, requiring minimal treatment due to the protected watershed. The system operates almost entirely by gravity, with only a few pumping stations needed for higher elevations.