Rockland County Lifts Mandatory Water Restrictions

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Rockland officials lifted the water emergency Wednesday and ended mandatory restrictions, but urged residents and businesses to continue limiting usage and keeping outdoor watering to a minimum.

County Executive Ed Day and Commissioner of Health Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert have lifted the Modified Stage II Water Emergency, effective immediately, that has been in effect since Thursday 8/18/2022 in Rockland County and instead shift restrictions from mandatory to voluntary.

Dry conditions have led to unprecedented flow levels in the Ramapo River which limited the use of Veolia’s Ramapo Valley Well Field, a significant source of water for Rockland residents, which triggered the water emergency issued Aug. 18. SEE: Water Emergency: Rockland Begins Mandatory Restrictions

By Aug. 30, water usage was down 11 percent, and by this week, water usage has fallen by about 15 percent, Day said.

“I want to thank our residents and businesses for taking this water emergency seriously," he said.

The decision was made Wednesday by the county for several reasons — including recent rainfall which has driven up water levels up in the river and Lake DeForest Reservoir.

"Additionally with poliovirus still circulating, we are encouraging more frequent handwashing and we don’t want families in the County to limit indoor usage that could impact hygiene care," he said.

Also, he said, officials wanted to shield Rockland water users from the "drought rate" surcharge in Veolia’s operating tariff triggered by the declaration of emergency and scheduled to go into effect Sept. 17, resulting in a 25 percent surcharge for water if usage is above thresholds set by the New York State Public Service Commission.

“Staying out of the water emergency largely rests with the continued cooperation of Rockland residents," Day said.

Day and Ruppert urged residents and businesses to continue with the recommended water saving measures, which primarily affect outdoor water usage, and apply to all residents and businesses, regardless of whether the water is from a public supplier or private well.

Water Use Recommendations:

Lawns
Lawns may be watered twice a week.

Gardens & Landscape

Flower gardens, vegetable gardens and landscaped areas (trees, shrubs, potted plants or other outdoor plants) can be watered every other day.

Other Recommendations:

• Nursery facilities and golf courses should continue to exercise a water conservation plan which reduces average monthly usage by 10%.

• Water should not be used to wash any paved surfaces (public or private) such as streets, sidewalks, driveways, tennis courts, garages, parking areas and patios, except as required for an emergency.

• Water should not be served in restaurants unless the patron requests it.
• The use of flow-through (non-recycled) fountains, artificial waterfalls and reflecting pools should continue to not be used.
• Water should not be used for flushing sewers or hydrants except for emergencies.
• All water leaks should be repaired within 48 hours.

Indoors

Continue to use water efficiently indoors with low-flow shower heads and toilets (look for the Water Sense label if purchasing new fixtures), fix any leaks, sweep rather than wash paved surfaces, run only full loads in washing machines and dish washers, don’t use toilets to dispose of tissues, and consider switching to high-efficiency appliances when it’s time for replacement.

Rockland County has long been grappling with its limited water supply under orders from the PSC.

SEE:

• Charting the Future of Rockland's Water
• Task Force Working On Water Conservation In Rockland
• Should Public Utility Manage Rockland's Water: Activists Ask NY
• Rockland Water Task Force To Present Conservation Plan
• Conservationists Find Draft Water Rate Plan for Rockland Encouraging