No Drop in Rockland Water Usage under Mandatory Restrictions

PEARL RIVER, NY — Despite the County of Rockland’s mandatory water-use restrictions issued on July 21, customer water usage has not declined, according to Chris Graziano, vice president and general manager of SUEZ operations in New York. SUEZ is urging its customers in Rockland County to reduce outdoor water use in a significant manner because drought conditions continue to worsen.

That means people should stop watering their lawns. Fast fact: Outdoor watering can account for about 50 percent of water usage at this time of year.

“While we are currently meeting demand, we must take precautions to be sure that there is enough water for future needs with a focus on health, safety and fire protection,” said Graziano. “That’s why we are urging customers to cut back on water usage right away and follow Rockland County’s drought restrictions. This includes lawn irrigation because lawns are perennial and will bounce back when normal rainfall returns. Customer cooperation is key to making sure that we conserve this precious resource.”

The water saving measures,which primarily affect outdoor water use, apply to all residents and businesses, regardless whether they get their water from a public water supplier such as SUEZ, Nyack or Suffern, or from their own private well.

The mandatory water saving measures follow two earlier requests from county officials and the water company for voluntary conservation.

Conservation is at the heart of Rockland's water use plan, after county residents and officials forced SUEZ, then known as United Water, to drop its plan to build a desalination plant to meet the county's water needs. The desalination plant— a controversial idea that dominated Rockland’s imagination for years—was based on projections that the county’s water demand would have surpassed supply by 2015.

For 2016, annual rainfall to date is 36 percent below average, SUEZ officials said — and the extremely hot, dry weather pattern is expected to continue, placing further stress on groundwater resources. In total, SUEZ operates 60 wells in Rockland County including the Ramapo Valley Well Field. Wells make up about 70 percent of the company’s supply.

Graziano said the drought, combined with high water usage, has stressed the Ramapo Valley Well Field, which provides approximately 20 percent of the SUEZ water supply on an annual basis. These wells are influenced by the Ramapo River, which is at lower than average levels. The river is not drought resilient and is particularly vulnerable when strong demand for water, dry conditions and very high temperatures coincide. With no significant rainfall in the forecast, there is no way to replenish this important supply and the Ramapo Valley Well Field may have to be shut down due to low river levels.

This scenario is a longstanding limitation in Rockland’s system which occurs in times of low rainfall or drought conditions, said SUEZ officials. It is not a reservoir supply issue. The Lake DeForest Reservoir, fed by the Hackensack River, is at approximately 85 percent of capacity, which is typical for this time of year.

“We are pumping close to maximum capacity from the Lake DeForest Plant and we cannot draw more water from Lake DeForest if the Ramapo Valley Well Field is taken off line,” said Graziano.

SUEZ officials are working closely with regulatory agencies, including the New York State Department of Health, the Rockland County Department of Health and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. “The company will continue to coordinate with these agencies during the duration of this water supply emergency,” said Graziano. “We appreciate their efforts to help us meet the needs of our Rockland County customers.”

SUEZ serves about 300,000 people in Rockland County.

Here are the restrictions put in place by county officials:

MANDATORY WATER USE RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF ROCKLAND COUNTY

• Properties with addresses ending in an odd number are instructed to water only on Mondays and Thursdays, and those with addresses ending in an even number only on Tuesdays and Fridays, between2 AM and 6 AM for automatic, in-ground irrigation systems OR between 5 PM and 9 PM for manual sprinklers or hose fed irrigation. Watering in accordance with this two-day schedule is consistent with current best practice recommendations, and will be considered fully compliant, even though strict interpretation of Article V calls for alternate-day watering.
• Water may not be used to wash non-public paved surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways, garages, parking areas and patios.
• With the exception of emergency vehicles, only commercial car washes can clean automobiles, trucks or trailers.
• Water cannot 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.