NEW YORK - New York City saw a noticeable drop in water use across all five boroughs during the Super Bowl halftime show, followed by a sharp surge in demand immediately after the performance ended.
According to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, water consumption dipped during Bad Bunny’s halftime performance as residents paused routine activities while watching the broadcast. In the 15 minutes after the show concluded, citywide water use spiked dramatically — an increase officials said was equivalent to roughly 761,719 toilets flushing at once.
City officials monitor water flow rates in real time through a vast system of tunnels, aqueducts and treatment facilities that supply more than 8 million residents. Sudden surges during major televised events are not uncommon and are often tied to viewers simultaneously using bathrooms, sinks and appliances during commercial breaks or immediately after halftime.
The Super Bowl remains one of the most-watched television events in the United States, routinely drawing tens of millions of viewers. Similar water-use swings have been documented during past Super Bowls and other high-profile broadcasts.
There were no service disruptions reported, and the city’s water infrastructure handled the spike without issue.
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