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Comment by simtel20 | Hacker News Reader

Where did you get that idea about NYC water being untreated? NYC treats its water. Chlorine is added if and when needed. Testing stations exist to evaluate water quality all around the boroughs, etc.

You can't have a city of millions of people and have the water be potable from the tap without testing and treatment

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https://www.nycfoodpolicy.org/10-facts-you-may-not-know-abou...

> New York City’s water (including drinking water) is unfiltered, making it the largest unfiltered water system in the country. Were New York to begin filtering its water, it would cost the city approximately 1 million dollars per day to operate the filtration plant.

They have hundreds of sampling stations to check daily.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/nyregion/nyc-tap-water-qu...

This causes some issues for observant Jews, because the water technically might not be kosher.

https://oukosher.org/blog/consumer-news/nyc-water/

https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/07/nyregion/the-waters-fine-...

Ok, but unfiltered does not imply untreated. Maybe that's where they got the idea, though.

It is, indeed. I'd edit the post but... too late.

It's largely unfiltered, but it is still treated for disinfection. Chlorination and UV is standard for NYC water, and its fluoridated as well.

Treatment is usually just the addition of chlorine and in some countries, fluoride.

Filtration isn't common.

Settlement, however, is fairly standard in surface supply.

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