Rockland Cut Water Use By 11% Since Mandatory Restrictions Imposed

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — A water emergency remains in effect in Rockland County, as do the mandatory restrictions on water use.

Since the Modified Stage II Water Emergency was put in place Aug. 17, average use is down 11.4 percent, County Executive Ed Day said Tuesday.

"I thank our residents and businesses for acting swiftly and urge everyone to continue conserving water usage," he said. "We are all in this together and will only get out of it through our collective efforts."

The restrictions were put in place right after the National Weather Service issued a drought statement for the Hudson Valley. At that point the last 30 days had seen less than half of normal rainfall. "The most significant dryness has been since the start of June. Temperatures have been well above normal for the last 30 days, as much as 5 degrees above normal. The below normal rainfall and above normal temperatures have contributed to a rapid deterioration of drought conditions over the last 30 to 45 days. Since then, drought conditions have intensified."

Those conditions sparked unprecedented low flow levels in the Ramapo River, which feeds the Ramapo Valley Well Field — a significant source of water for Rockland residents.

The water saving measures put in place apply to all residents and businesses, regardless of whether the water is from a public supplier or private well.

The emergency also triggered a “drought rate” in Veolia’s operating tariff which will go into effect on Sept. 17, resulting in a 25 percent surcharge for water if usage is above the below thresholds:

• Residential Customers: will be charged an additional $2.98 per CCF for any usage over 12 CCF or $3.99 per 1,000 gallons for any usage over 8,980 gallons of water per month
• Multi-Family Customers: will be charged an additional $1.62 per CCF for any usage over 400 CCF or $2.17 per 1,000 gallons for any usage over 299,200 gallons of water per month.
• Non-Residential Customers: will be charged an additional $1.57 per CCF for any usage over 900 CCF or $2.09 per 1,000 gallons for any usage over 673,200 gallons of water per month.

This drought rate was implemented by the New York Public Service Commission to encourage families to reduce water usage, Day said. Concerns about the surcharge should be sent to the PSC: File a Complaint | New York State Department of Public Service (ny.gov)

Conservation has been the cornerstone of Rockland's efforts to deal with its water limits since the plan to build a desalination plant on the Hudson River was defeated.

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

Current mandatory water use restrictions in Rockland County include:

Lawns

Lawns may be watered twice a week only on specified days. Properties with odd numbered addresses may water lawns during specific hours only on Mondays and Thursdays. Properties with even numbered addresses may water lawns during specific hours on Tuesdays and Fridays. Watering hours are between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. for automatic, in-ground irrigation systems. For manual sprinklers or hose fed irrigation the hours are between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. (NOTE: this schedule supersedes the schedule stated in the Rockland County Sanitary Code section 5.4.2.2)

Gardens & Landscape

Flower gardens, vegetable gardens and landscaped areas (trees, shrubs, potted plants or other outdoor plants) can be watered during specified hours every other day of the month according to property address. Properties with odd numbered addresses may water on odd days of the month (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, etc.) and properties with even numbered addresses may water on even days of the month (2, 4, 6, 8, etc.). Watering hours are between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., for automatic, in-ground irrigation systems. For manual sprinklers or hose fed irrigation the hours are between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Other Restrictions:

• Nursery facilities and golf courses may exercise a water conservation plan, that is compliant with Article V of the Rockland County Sanitary Code, in lieu of the specified watering restrictions. The conservation plan must reduce average monthly usage by 10%. In addition, all water use at golf courses shall occur between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. except for hand-watering of greens.

• Water may 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 will not be served in restaurants unless the patron requests it.

• The use of flow-through (non-recycled) fountains, artificial waterfalls and reflecting pools is not allowed.

• Water cannot be used for flushing sewers or hydrants except for emergencies.

• All water leaks must be repaired within 48 hours.

• No bulk water supply from any source within the county may be exported outside the county.

In addition, officials urged residents to use water efficiently indoors. Fix any leaks, sweep rather than wash paved surfaces, run only full loads in washing machines and dishwashers, don’t use toilets to dispose of tissues, and consider switching to high-efficiency appliances and low-flow shower heads and toilets when it’s time for replacement.