Water Emergency: Rockland Begins Mandatory Restrictions

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — A water emergency is in effect beginning Thursday, County Executive Ed Day and Commissioner of Health Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announced. You may not use water to wash any paved surfaces, there are rules limiting watering lawns and gardens, and turn off those flow-through fountains or waterfalls.

The cause: Dry conditions — Rockland, like the rest of the Hudson Valley, is in a moderate drought — have led to unprecedented low flow levels in the Ramapo River. That is limiting the use of Veolia’s Ramapo Valley Well Field, a significant source of water for Rockland residents.

Average rainfall over the last three months is nearly 50 percent below average and the extremely hot, dry weather pattern is expected to continue — placing further stress on groundwater resources. In total, Veolia operates 60 wells in Rockland County including the Ramapo Valley Well Field.

“The prolonged hot, dry weather has led the county to declare a drought watch,” said Chris Graziano, Vice President and General Manager of Veolia operations in New York. “ We are working in conjunction with the county to ensure our customers are doing everything possible to conserve water.”

SEE: New York Expands Drought Watch, Adding Most Of Hudson Valley

Under a stage two drought alert, the following uses of water are prohibited:

• Serving of water at a food service establishment except at the specific request of a patron
• The use of non-recycled water for ornamental purposes including but not limited to fountains, artificial waterfalls and reflecting pools
• The use of water for flushing of sewers or hydrants except as deemed necessary for public health and safety
• The use of water for the non-agricultural irrigation, watering or sprinkling of any lawn, flower garden, vegetable garden, or landscaped area (e.g., trees, shrubs or other outdoor plants) except for watering on odd/even days either between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. for automatic irrigation systems or between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. for hand watering or manually operated irrigation systems

“While we are currently meeting demand, we must take precautions to be sure that there is enough water for future needs with a focus on health, safety and fire protection,” said Graziano. “That’s why we are working closely with county officials and urging customers to cut back on water usage and follow Rockland County’s recommendations.”

The county is taking these proactive measures to preserve water usage out of an abundance of caution, county officials said.

The "Modified Stage II Water Emergency" means mandatory restrictions on water use for businesses and individuals.

The water-saving measures primarily affect outdoor water usage and apply to all residents and businesses, regardless of whether the water is from a public supplier or private well.

The drought watch also triggers a "drought rate" in Veolia’s operating tariff. This rate will go into effect 30 days after the declaration unless the drought alert is rescinded before that time. This will result in a 25 percent increase for any water usage in Veolia’s highest rate block. The “drought rate” will be applied in the following manner:

• Residential Customers: will be charged $2.98 per CCF for any usage over 12 CCF or 8,976 gallons of water per month
• Multi-Family Unit: will be charged $ 1.62 for any usage over 400 CCF or 299,200 gallons of water per month.
• Non-Residential: will be charged $ 1.57 for any usage over 900 CCF or 673,200 gallons of water per month.

One CCF is equal to 748 gallons of water.

The New York Public Service Commission implemented this conservation rate for Veolia customers to encourage high water users to reduce their water consumption during periods of drought

Customers can monitor their daily water usage by creating an account or logging into their account at mywater.veolia.us. To learn more about water conservation, customers can visit conserve.veolia.us

Here are the details:

Lawns

Lawns may be watered twice a week only on specified days. Properties with odd-numbered addresses may water lawns during specific hours only on Mondays and Thursdays. Properties with even-numbered addresses may water lawns during specific hours 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 the hours are between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. (NOTE: this schedule supersedes the schedule stated in the Rockland County Sanitary Code section 5.4.2.2)

Gardens & Landscape

Flower gardens, vegetable gardens and landscaped areas (trees, shrubs, potted plants or other outdoor plants) can be watered during specified hours every other day of the month according to property address. Properties with odd-numbered addresses may water on odd days of the month (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, etc.) and properties with even-numbered addresses may water on even days of the month (2, 4, 6, 8, etc.). Watering hours are between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., for automatic, in-ground irrigation systems. For manual sprinklers or hose-fed irrigation the hours are between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Other Restrictions

• Nursery facilities and golf courses may exercise a water conservation plan, that is compliant with Article V of the Rockland County Sanitary Code, in lieu of the specified watering restrictions. The conservation plan must reduce average monthly usage by 10%. In addition, all water use at golf courses shall occur between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. except for hand-watering of greens.
• Water may not be used to wash any paved surfaces (public or private) such as streets, sidewalks, driveways, tennis courts, garages, parking areas and patios, except as required for an emergency.
• Water will not 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.
• 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.

Continue to use water efficiently indoors with low-flow shower heads and toilets (look for the Water Sense label if purchasing new fixtures), fix any leaks, sweep rather than wash paved surfaces, run only full loads in washing machines and dishwashers, don’t use toilets to dispose of tissues, and consider switching to high-efficiency appliances when it’s time for replacement.

Residents can notify the Health Department if you see water leaks or see water being used outside the allowable schedule with this complaint form.

Rockland encountered a similar issue in 2016. SEE: Rockland County Declares Stage 2 Water Emergency