Water quality and climate resilience chief takes charge as Trump cuts EPA funding
Lisa Garcia, former EPA Region 2 administrator under Biden, becomes New York City Department of Environmental Protection commissioner under Mamdani. The appointment, announced January 27, 2026, places an environmental expert in charge of the city’s water, wastewater, and environmental quality systems at a moment when federal environmental protections face cuts and rollback.
EPA Experience and Expertise
Garcia served as EPA administrator for Region 2, which covers New York and New Jersey. In this role, she oversaw enforcement of federal environmental laws, water quality standards, air quality regulations, and climate resilience initiatives. She has been an outspoken critic of Trump administration EPA cuts and environmental deregulation. Her appointment suggests Mamdani intends to prioritize environmental protection and pursue climate resilience even as federal support diminishes.
DEP Responsibilities
The Department of Environmental Protection manages the city’s water supply, wastewater treatment, and environmental monitoring across multiple systems. NYC’s water comes from Catskill and Delaware watersheds, protected through complex federal and state agreements. Wastewater treatment involves 14 major plants and miles of pipes. Environmental monitoring tracks air quality, pollution levels, and ecosystem health.
Water Quality and Public Health
Lead water contamination in older building plumbing poses public health risks, particularly for children and pregnant women. Garcia will likely prioritize lead testing and remediation. The city’s aging water infrastructure requires capital investment for repairs and modernization. These investments carry significant costs in a budget-constrained environment.
Climate Resilience and Infrastructure
NYC faces increasing climate risks: sea level rise threatening waterfront infrastructure, extreme weather events straining systems, and temperatures rising. DEP must adapt water systems to climate change while maintaining reliability and affordability. Garcia’s environmental focus suggests priority for climate adaptation and green infrastructure investments.
Relationship with EPA under Trump
As EPA cuts resources for environmental enforcement and water quality oversight, NYC must manage its own environmental protection. Garcia’s experience fighting EPA rollback suggests she will pursue regulatory enforcement at the city level and legal challenges to federal environmental deregulation. For environmental information, see the NYC Department of Environmental Protection. Learn about water quality at EPA Water Data. Read environmental advocacy at Natural Resources Defense Council. Understand climate resilience at C40 Cities.
