Cold Spring's Water Supply At 45%, Community Day Fireworks Canceled

COLD SPRING, NY — The extreme drought in Putnam County has caused serious water shortages in Cold Spring, where the village's water supply is at about 45 percent.

Its three reservoirs are at less than half of capacity, village officials said Thursday on Facebook.

"It is critical that all users of the Village water supply strictly limit usage to conserve the supply for domestic and sanitary uses, as well as for fire suppression," they said. "VIOLATIONS WILL RESULT IN SUMMONSES AND FINES."

Additionally, fire risk is extremely high.

After consultation with the Cold Spring fire chief, the fireworks for Community Day on Sept. 3 have been cancelled, village officials said. The Cold Spring Fire Company reminds residents and business owners not to light outdoor fires for any purpose and to use extreme caution when undertaking activities like grilling food.

These water restrictions are in place in Cold Spring:

• Use the minimal amount of water required for domestic and sanitary purposes. Keep showers brief; turn off faucets while washing dishes and brushing teeth, etcetera; skip toilet flushes when reasonable.
• Do not water landscapes and gardens unless your property has a private irrigation supply that does not draw on municipal water.
• Do not wash cars or buildings.
• Strictly limit refills on pools and/or hot tubs. Do not use sprinklers or hoses for water play.
• Business and industries must use the minimum amount of water reasonably necessary to conduct operations.

The village has the Foundry Brook reservoir on Fishkill Road and two upper reservoirs off Lake Surprise Road.

The strain on water resources is made more acute because Cold Spring is Putnam County's tourism Mecca. Thousands of people visit by train and car on weekends in the spring, summer and fall, strolling Main Street and filling the village's many restaurants.

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Putnam County continues to suffer from the most severe drought conditions in New York State, and the Hudson Valley region is at highest risk of wildfire.

The town of Carmel, where residents were asked in July to voluntarily limit water use in its 13 water districts, sent out a notice Aug. 8 to four of them warning that their water sources were running low. "You should be aware that current usage may make it necessary to truck in water, at significant cost. This cost will be borne by all district residents. We therefore request your voluntary cooperation to curtail any and all non-essential water usage," town officials said.

"With the current and prolonged drought, we are urging residents with well-water more than usual to be sure to fix any leaking plumbing fixtures such as toilets or dripping faucets," said Joseph Paravati, P.E., supervisor of engineering at the Putnam County health department. "It is extremely helpful to refrain from washing motor vehicles, structures, and driveways,and to limit or discontinue lawn and garden irrigation until the drought ends."