New York City's tap water is renowned for its high quality, partly due to the nearly 1,000 cast-iron water sampling stations scattered across five boroughs, which often go unnoticed by the public. These stations, managed by the Department of Environmental Protection, allow city workers to regularly collect and test water samples, ensuring the water is safe and tastes good. The unfiltered water comes from upstate reservoirs, treated with chlorine, fluoride, and ultraviolet light, and is distributed through a complex underground system. Known for its pleasant taste, the water has been dubbed the 'champagne of drinking water,' contributing to the unique flavors of local bagels and pizza. Despite occasional complaints about water taste during infrastructure changes, consistent testing at these stations helps maintain water quality and address consumer concerns swiftly.

The cast-iron water sampling stations are essential for maintaining the high quality of New York City's tap water, yet they often go unnoticed by the public as they are mistaken for utility infrastructure.

Each station is designed to draw water directly from underground mains before it enters residential areas, allowing city scientists to test for various parameters like temperature, clarity, and potential contaminants.

The water, sourced from reservoirs in the Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley, travels to the city primarily through gravity, receiving only minimal treatment before distribution.

New York City's water is celebrated for its taste, often described as the 'champagne of drinking water,' and is believed to enhance local culinary staples such as bagels and pizza.

During infrastructure repairs or changes, like those in the Delaware Watershed, the city has experienced spikes in taste and odor complaints, highlighting the importance of consistent water source and quality.

The presence of the sampling stations allows the city to perform regular quality checks without needing to enter private properties, thereby ensuring a consistent and comparable standard of testing.

Despite occasional taste complaints, which often correlate with changes in water sourcing, the city's proactive testing measures help maintain a high standard of drinking water quality.