Summer is here, and as temperatures continue to rise, so does residential water usage across Long Island. To keep up with summer demand, Suffolk County Water Authority during peak hours activates nearly all of its approximately 600 pumping wells. But prolonged pumping can put a strain on both water infrastructure and the groundwater aquifer, the sole source of potable water on Long Island.
That’s why the Suffolk County Water Authority encourages water conservation in a variety of ways, most notably through its "Water Wise" programs. Just by purchasing water-saving devices such as low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators and smart irrigation timers, customers become eligible to receive account credits of up to $50.
Customers can also sign up for a free "Water Wise Checkup," a one-on-one consultation between a customer and an SCWA water use expert. The SCWA expert will help the customer estimate the quantity of water used at each usage point inside and outside the residence, providing the customer with a road map for potential savings. The expert will also show the customer exactly how much water they are using overall compared to the average customer in their neighborhood.
"When people use less water, not only does it relieve stress on our existing infrastructure, but it helps prevent us having to invest millions of dollars to build new wells just to keep up with summer demand, costs that are ultimately passed down to our ratepayers," said SCWA Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey W. Szabo. "Plus, it’s critically important that we all do our part to preserve our greatest natural resource, the aquifer that provides all of our drinking water."
Visit SCWA.com and click "Water Wise Program" on our homepage to participate.
Additionally, SCWA promotes water conservation at its bi-monthly WaterTalk public education forums held throughout the SCWA service territory. And SCWA is currently taking a lead role in the development of comprehensive conservation messaging to engage the public, an initiative organized under the Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection (LICAP).
The Suffolk County Water Authority is an independent public-benefit corporation operating under the authority of the Public Authorities Law of the State of New York. Serving approximately 1.2 million Suffolk County residents, the Authority operates without taxing power on a not-for-profit basis.