Rye SUEZ Customers Must Restrict Outdoor Water Use Immediately

RYE, NY — The result of the drought in Connecticut means that SUEZ Westchester customers in Rye, Port Chester and Rye Brook must restrict outdoor water usage.

Information from the water company Friday said SUEZ is working in cooperation with town and city officials in the three communities, as well as the Westchester County Department of Health, to require all customers to immediately cease all outdoor watering.

This includes, a spokeswoman for SUEZ said, using irrigation systems, sprinklers and soaker hoses.

Customers can continue watering activities using a hand-held hose for the time being.

Chris Graziano, vice president and general manager, said SUEZ purchases water for its Rate District 2 water system, which includes Rye, Rye Brook and Port Chester, from Aquarion Water Company.

Aquarion implemented a mandatory ban September 16 for customers it serves in four Connecticut communities which use the same water supply.

From the press release:

Aquarion noted that Connecticut’s drought level has recently been upgraded to a “severe drought” for most of the state due to an extended dry spell, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). With below average rainfall and extremely high water demand, water levels in Aquarion’s reservoirs are continuing to decline, and are in a critical state.

Aquarion also stated that in the last six months, their reservoirs have received six inches less rainfall than normal. The Greenwich reservoirs are currently at 33.3% of their capacity which is normally 70% this time of year. Aquarion further noted that their Putnam Reservoir is the primary source of supply for Greenwich and the Westchester County communities of Rye, Rye Brook and Port Chester served by SUEZ. The Putnam Reservoir is at 25.3% of its capacity and has been dropping at a rate of 6% per week.

“Conservation is essential to ensure that we have an adequate water supply for everyday use and fire protection,” said Graziano.

Graziano noted that customers in the Rate District 1 water system receive their water from the New York City Water System which has a sufficient supply of water. Customers in New Rochelle, the towns of Eastchester, Greenburgh (partially), and the villages of Bronxville, Tuckahoe, North Pelham, Pelham Manor, Ardsley, Hastings on Hudson and Dobbs Ferry are not directly impacted by this request. However, SUEZ is reminding them to use water wisely.

SUEZ serves about 146,000 people in Rate District 1 and 54,000 people in Rate District 2.

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons by JJ Harrison.