Rockland County declares water emergency, limits uses amid drought watch
Rockland County declared a stage II water emergency on Wednesday.
County Executive Ed Day and Commissioner of Health Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert said the emergency will go into effect Thursday, imposing restrictions on water use.
Rockland is among numerous counties throughout the state that is on a drought watch, including Orange, Sullivan, Ulster, Putnam and Dutchess, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
"There are no statewide mandatory water use restrictions in place under a drought watch, but residents are strongly encouraged to voluntarily conserve water," the DEC said. "Local public water suppliers may require conservation measures, depending upon local needs and conditions."
Rockland's water is tied to several supply sources: the Ramapo River, well fields and Lake DeForest Reservoir in West Nyack. Unlike many surrounding areas, Rockland County does not have any connections to New York City's massive Croton, Delaware and Catskill watersheds.
The county officials said dry conditions have led to unprecedented flow levels in the Ramapo River, which is limiting the use of Veolia's Ramapo Valley Well Field, a significant source of water for county residents. They said Rockland encountered a similar issue in 2016, and out of an abundance of caution, in tandem with recommendations from the county's suppliers, proactive steps are being taken to preserve water usage.
The water-saving measures, which primarily target outdoor water use, apply to all residents and businesses, regardless of whether the water comes from a public source or a private well.
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The mandatory restrictions include:
Lawns may be watered twice a week, on specific days. Properties with odd-numbered addresses may only water lawns on Mondays and Thursdays, while properties with even-numbered addresses may only water lawns 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, watering hours are between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.
For flower gardens, vegetable gardens, and landscaped areas with trees, shrubs, potted plants and other outdoor plants, properties with odd-numbered addresses may water them on odd-numbered days of the month, and properties with even-numbered addresses may water them on even-numbered days of the month. As with lawn watering, automatic, in-ground irrigation systems may be used between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., while manual sprinklers and hose-fed systems may be used between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Nursery facilities and golf courses may exercise a water conservation plan that complies with section V of the Rockland sanitary code in lieu of specific watering restrictions, but that plan must reduce average monthly water use by 10%. All water use at golf courses must occur between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., except for hand watering of greens.
Other restrictions include:
Water may not be used to wash any paved surface, except as required in an emergency.
Water may not be served in restaurants, unless a patron requests it.
The use of non-recycled fountains, artificial waterfalls and reflecting pools is not allowed during the emergency.
Water cannot be used to flush sewers or hydrants, except in emergencies.
All water leaks must be repaired within 48 hours.
No bulk water supply from any source inside the county may be exported outside the county.
And washing machines and dish washers should only be run when there is a full load.
Staff writer Nancy Cutler contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Rockland County water restrictions take effect amid drought watch
