Press Releases

Contact: Public Relations Department
Suffolk County Water Authority
PO Box 37
Oakdale NY 11769
(631) 563-0296

October 27, 2009
You’ve Turned Back the Clocks, Time to Properly Winterize Your Sprinkler System!

The Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) hopes that with the end of daylight savings time, residents will make sure their outdoor faucets and in-ground irrigation system have been properly winterized. Freezing temperatures can cause the water in an exposed pipe to expand. If that water expands too much, the pipe bursts. This leads to lots of wasted water and money.

“We want our customers to know that by properly winterizing their sprinkler system now, they can avoid costly leaks that are sometimes difficult to notice in the summer,” explained SCWA Board Chairman Michael A. LoGrande. “A few, simple steps in the fall will prevent costly repairs when it comes time to turn the system back on in the spring.”

Steps to help with the winterization of outdoor water sources include:
1. Turning off the water supply to the irrigation system.
2. Draining all water out of irrigation components that might freeze and forcing out whatever water remains with compressed air.
3. Bringing timers, filters, regulators and electric valves indoors.
4. For drip line systems, remove end fittings, drain water and replace the fittings.
5. For garden hoses, you need to disconnect, drain and store them indoors. This will prolong the life of the hoses.
6. Calling a professional, if needed.

“Customers who have unheated structures with water lines need to also prepare for the winter season,” noted Patrick Halpin, SCWA Board Secretary. “As the winter months approach, it is important for these customers to have these lines drained and service shutoff until spring in order to prevent breaks.” He added that it is also important to wrap exposed pipes in crawl spaces and unheated basements with weatherproof insulation to prevent them from freezing.