United Water Conservation Tip: Focus on Outside Use

United Water New York is encouraging its customers to conserve water and to follow the tips issued by Rockland County Executive Ed Day and the Rockland County Department of Health.

SEE: Rockland Officials Urge Voluntary Water Restrictions

“United Water is currently meeting customer needs, despite lower than average rainfall and increased demands compared to the same period last year,” said Chris Graziano, general manager. “We encourage our customers to be mindful of their water usage, especially during this hot, dry period. It is important to take these steps in advance of any potential prolonged dry spell.”

Rainfall in Rockland was 1.5 inches for August compared to the 20 year average of 4.5 inches. Total for the year to date is 24 inches vs the 20 year average of 27.5 inches.

In particular, Graziano noted that outdoor usage can result in up to 50 percent more water usage.

How can you get more control over your outdoor water use?

Customers can maintain a healthy lawn by following UnitedWater’s ET (EvapoTranspiration) lawn watering program. This program uses weather-based information to determine exactly how much water the lawn needs based on local conditions. (www.unitedwater.com/et) For Rockland, the closest ET program does readings for West Nyack.

For example, the Daily ET Index for West Nyack for Wednesday, Sep 02, 2015 is 0.50 inches.

This means you should water your lawn 30 minutes today, if you haven’t watered your lawn in at least four days.

More tips so your lawn can stay green and healthy — and you can save up to $200 a year by reducing your outdoor water use:

• Water lawns infrequently but deeply to establish a deep root system.
• Water in the early morning or early evening to reduce evaporation.
• Set your mower blade to at least three inches because taller grass helps the soil retain moisture.

“We will continue to carefully monitor weather conditions as well as water supply and waterusage,” said Graziano. “All this information is reported to the Rockland County Department of Health, the agency responsible for administering the sanitary code which includes regulations that pertain to drought conditions.”

PHOTO/United Water