Tap water enables the development of cities in locations with insufficient natural resources to support such populations. For the last 200 years, New York City has obtained water through a network of nineteen reservoirs and controlled lakes, some as far as 125-miles away. Engineering this water system required the demolition of rural communities, removal of cemeteries, and rerouting of roadways and waterways. The ruination is ongoing. This archaeological examination of the New York City watershed reveals the cultural costs of urban water systems. Urban water systems do more than reroute water from one place to another. At best, they redefine communities. At worst, they erase them.

Tap water enables the development of cities in locations with insufficient natural resources to support such populations. For the last 200 years, New York City has obtained water through a network of nineteen reservoirs and controlled lakes, some as far as 125-miles away. Engineering this water system required the demolition of rural communities, removal of cemeteries, and rerouting of roadways and waterways. The ruination is ongoing. This archaeological examination of the New York City watershed reveals the cultural costs of urban water systems. Urban water systems do more than reroute water from one place to another. At best, they redefine communities. At worst, they erase them.

Introduction
    Urban Water as an (Un)natural Resource
    Archaeology’s Unique Perspective
    Book Outline

Chapter 1. Archaeology and the Contemporary Past
    Past, Present, Future
    Archaeological Method and Theory
    Connections and Conclusions

Chapter 2. New York City’s Water System
    Starting on Manhattan Island
    Reaching Off-Island
    Acquiring More Distant Lands
    Connections and Conclusions

Chapter 3. Kent: A Town Repurposed
    Introduction
    History
    Archaeology of City-Owned Lands
    Connections and Conclusions

Chapter 4. Olive: A Town Traumatized
    Introduction
    History
    Archaeology of City-Owned Lands
    Connections and Conclusions

Chapter 5. Water Pasts for Water Futures
    An Archaeology of Watershed Communities
    Archaeologists as Effective Activists?

Conclusion

Bibliography