SUEZ officials (Suez is the local water company) in Westchester are urging customers in Rye, Rye Brook and Port Chester to voluntarily stop or limit outdoor watering.
This includes using irrigation systems, sprinklers, and soaker hoses. Customers can continue watering activities using a hand-held hose for the time being.
Any questions can be directed to SUEZ at 877-266-9101.
Here is the full news release from Suez:
SUEZ Westchester working in cooperation with town and city officials in Rye, Rye Brook and Port Chester, as well as the Westchester County Department of Health, is requiring all customers to immediately cease all outdoor watering. This includes 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, noted that SUEZ purchases water for customers in its Rate District 2 water system (Rye, Rye Brook and Port Chester) from Aquarion Water Company. On Friday, September 16, Aquarion implemented a mandatory ban for customers it serves in four Connecticut communities which use the same water supply.
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, 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.
Is there any enforcement behind this “requirement”? I note quite a few businesses and residences which seem to have not gotten the message even so far as allowing their sprinklers to run during the recent – albeit limited – rain.
While the watering ban and a proposed changed to local law will be discussed at the City Council meeting tonight, October 5th, it is worth observing that the City continues its automatic sprinkling of the town green.