Water Usage Peaks with Summer Temperatures

Long Island continues to experience a dry stretch of weather and is asking residents to help conserve water.

The unusually dry conditions, along with a 400 percent increase in demand due in part to a dependence on lawn and garden irrigation systems, has water systems across the region facing the possibility of experiencing reduced pressure. During dry spells such as this, water infrastructure can struggle to keep up with the demand while also keeping storage tanks full. Keeping storage tanks full is vital as it ensures adequate supply and pressure when firefighters respond to emergencies.

In an effort to continue to provide ample water for everyday use and ensure adequate fire protection at all times, Liberty is asking residents to help conserve the water supply and reduce residential and commercial water usage, particularly through irrigation practices.

“We’re asking residents to shorten their irrigation cycles to offset the increase in demand due to the dry weather,” said Chris Alario, President, Liberty New York Water. “A small change in routine could help maintain adequate water pressure for fire protection and other essential services, ultimately helping to save lives in an emergency”

Customers can enjoy summer and have a lush lawn while helping to protect our water supply. Residents are asked to only water their lawns according to the even/odd county ordinances (even numbered houses water on even days and odd numbered house on odd days) and to avoid all watering between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., as these are peak evaporation times.

In addition to adhering to all irrigation regulations, homeowners are urged to be conscious of water usage inside and outside their homes. To help residents cut back on usage, Liberty reminds the public of these water-saving tips:

• Reduce your irrigation system’s watering per zone by five (5) minutes, saving approximately 20 percent on your overall usage.
• Lawns only need an inch of water per week to remain healthy. To know if your lawn has enough water, try the step test. If you step on your lawn and the grass springs back, it does not need water.
• Replace your standard irrigation with a Smart Irrigation Controller. These systems connect to local weather stations to predict the watering needs of lawns and gardens more accurately. A list of EPA WaterSense labeled smart controllers can be found at https://www.epa.gov/watersense/watersense-labeled-controllers.
• Consider taking showers instead of baths. Showers generally use 10-25 gallons of water, while a bath uses up to 70 gallons of water.
• Learn how to detect leaks in your home at www.libertyenergyandwater.com.

“We’re grateful for our customers’ partnership in helping manage our water resources,” Mr. Alario added, “and thank them in advance for doing what they can to make smart water usage choices.”

To learn more about Liberty’s conservation efforts, visit www.libertyenergyandwater.com and click on Smart Water Use.