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Residents had been in an H2O lockdown since late July due to the lack of rainfall and a decline of flow in the Ramapo River, which feeds wells, and hence, the county’s water supply.
But recent rains added 1.29 inches to Lake DeForest, which accounts for 30 percent of the county's drinking water and is now at approximately 85 percent capacity, and also helped the Ramapo River, according to a report by lohud.com
County Executive Ed Day and Commissioner of Health Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announced Monday that the county has lowered the mandatory water restrictions from Stage II to Stage I.
Residents and businesses may now do the following:
- Hand wash their cars.
- Wash paved surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways, and patios.
- Water their lawns every other day, instead of only two days per week.
- Water their lawns, gardens and landscape plants for two additional hours on specified days.
The county also lifted its requirement that plant nurseries and golf courses cut usage by 10 percent.
However, going from Stage 2 to Stage 1 doesn’t give residents a blank check to go crazy with the wet stuff.
These restrictions remain in place, the county said:
- Residents may only water lawns, flower gardens, vegetable gardens, trees, shrubs, potted plants, or other outdoor plants between midnight and 6 a.m., for automatic, in-ground irrigation systems, and between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. for manual sprinklers or a hose every other day of the month, based on your address. Properties with an odd numbered address may water on odd days of the month (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, etc.) and properties with an even number may water on even days of the month (2, 4, 6, 8, etc.). For example: If you live at 9 Main St., you may water your garden or landscape during specified hours on Aug. 25, 27, 29, etc. If you live at 10 Main St., you may water your garden or landscape during specified hours on Aug. 24, 26, 28, etc.
- Mulching is recommended to preserve moisture.
- Restaurants cannot serve water 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.
Day thanked residents and businesses for helping to conserve water, but also asked them to remain “vigilant” about usage so there is enough water for domestic use and fire protection.
Suez, formerly known as United Water, which supplies 300,000 Rockland residents, reported that there was a 10 percent reduction in usage during the water emergency.
Ruppert reminded residents that while temperatures have dropped a little in the past week, the summer is far from over.
The county’s water resources, she said, have not recovered completely and if the hotter weather returns, and usage increases, the county may have to return to Stage 2.
Ruppert suggested the best policy would be to do the following:
- Use low-flow shower heads and toilets.
- Fix any leaks.
- Sweep rather than wash paved surfaces.
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.
- Run only full loads in washing machines and dish washers.
For more information, call (845)- 364-2608, or visit the Health Department's Drought Information web page http://rcklnd.us/droughtinformation/.
To notify the county about leaks or water usage violations, go to the "Drought" category on the county Department of Health's complaint form, http://rcklnd.us/complaintform.
To read the lohud.com article, click here.
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