Rockland County Lifts Water Restrictions

NEW CITY, NY, -- Mandatory water use restrictions imposed by the Rockland Department of Health in July are being lifted effective today, according to Rockland County Executive Ed Day.

“We appreciate the efforts of our residents and businesses who cooperated with the water use restrictions and helped get us through this hot, dry period,” said Day in the announcement. “We ask everyone to continue to use water carefully and conserve whenever possible.”

The restrictions, which mainly focused on outdoor water use, were enacted when a prolonged dry spell threatened the Ramapo River well fields that provide 20 percent of Rockland’s water.

The county started with voluntary restrictions and then moved to mandatory rules as the drought continued. A three-day deluge that dropped 2.48 inches of much-needed rain on Rockland County in early August helped recharge reservoirs but was not enough to end water restrictions.

Moderate rainfall over the past two months along with declining water use caused by cooler temperatures as the summer ends have alleviated the water emergency declared by Commissioner of Health Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert on July 21.

Outdoor water use is expected to begin dropping naturally as lawns become dormant for the year and pools are closed, officials said in the announcement.

“We continue to track both rainfall and water resources on a daily basis. Should the need arise, we will be ready to reinstate restrictions to preserve water for domestic use and fire protection. We are hopeful that further restrictions won’t be needed,” said Dr. Ruppert.

For more information, call (845) 364-2608 or visit the Health Department’s webpage at www.rocklandgov.com/health