United Water Hosts Regional Water Resources Meeting

West Nyack, NY, January 22, 2002 -- United Water hosted a regional water resources management meeting today with officials from New York and New Jersey. Meeting attendees included: Rockland County Executive Scott Vanderhoef, the Rockland County Health Department, the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) staff, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Bergen County Health Department. The discussions focused heavily on the current drought.

Below average rainfall has prompted officials in both states to take action. The New Jersey DEP declared a drought watch for northeastern New Jersey back in October 2001. In New York, the DEC declared a drought warning for Rockland County in December. Today, the Rockland County Health Department used the occasion of the regional meeting to issue a Stage I drought emergency for Rockland County that mandates restrictions.

“We agree with the County in their call for water restrictions,” said Gary Harstead, vice president and general manager, United Water New York. “Everyone needs to understand the seriousness of the situation. Even if rainfall over the next several months finally returns to a normal pattern, we may still be facing more water restrictions come early spring. We need heavy soaking rains right now.”

Lake DeForest Reservoir levels have dropped to 49 percent. United Water New Jersey's reservoir storage is at approximately the same level. Normally, January reservoir levels are near 85 percent. Groundwater and stream levels have also dropped dramatically. The amount of rainfall over the next several weeks is key to replenishing the reservoirs and aquifers impacted by the extended dry period. Rainfall over the past six months has been more than 12 inches, or 47 percent, below normal.

Commenting on the water supply meeting, Robert Iacullo, President of United Water New York and New Jersey spoke positively. “These meetings benefit everyone. It’s important to share information so that everyone understands the issues and is able to make the best decisions on how to manage our resources.” The group agreed to continue to improve communication efforts and to meet collectively again in April. A meeting of New York officials will take place in March. A meeting of the Rockland County Water Wise Committee, which concentrates on conservation issues, will meet later this week.

According to a Rockland County pamphlet on the drought restrictions, Stage I requires that:
• Water cannot be served in restaurants 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.
• Lawn and garden watering is only allowed on odd or even days based on address.
• Watering is only allowed between the hours of 12 midnight and 6 a.m. for automatic, in-ground irrigation systems OR between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. for manual sprinklers or hose-fed irrigation systems.

Other conservation efforts that can be practiced in the home during the winter include:
• Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, and fill a glass of water for rinsing.
• Never use your toilet as a wastebasket.
• When shaving, use a partially filled sink to rinse your razor.
• Take shorter showers, or, install water saving showerheads.
• Take a shallow bath instead of a shower.
• Keep a bottle of tap water in the refrigerator instead of running the faucet for cold drinking water.
• Run the washing machine and the dishwasher only with full loads.
• Check for and repair any leaks.
• Wash fruits and vegetables in a basin. Use a vegetable brush to remove dirt.

A detailed list on saving water can be obtained by visiting the conservation section of this website.

United Water New York provides an average of 30 million gallons of water a day to nearly 260,000 residents in Rockland County.