The Suffolk County Water Authority announced today that the Stage 1 Water Alert for all customers issued earlier this summer has been rescinded, as system conditions have improved following weeks of customer cooperation in reducing water use.
The alert was declared on July 23rd after high heat and limited rainfall drove water demand to elevated levels. SCWA’s water storage tanks reached low levels during peak demand, raising concern about maintaining adequate water pressure, including pressure needed to support fire response. Customers responded by cutting back on lawn irrigation and other nonessential use, which played a key role in stabilizing demand.
“We are grateful to our customers for taking this alert seriously and reducing their water usage,” said SCWA Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz. “This collective effort ensured that we could maintain system reliability during one of the most challenging stretches of the summer.”
While the alert has been lifted, SCWA reminds all customers of its policy that all lawn watering follow the odd/even lawn schedule: homes with odd-numbered street addresses should water only on odd-numbered calendar days, while even-numbered addresses should water only on even days. This schedule significantly reduces peak demand and promotes healthier lawns by preventing overwatering.
Though demand has eased, there are still several more weeks in the lawn watering season and conditions remain unpredictable. Last fall saw significantly lower rainfall, resulting in summer-like pumping levels well into October. In August, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation warned that Suffolk County had been placed on a drought watch. SCWA is urging customers to remain mindful of their water use in the weeks ahead to help protect Long Island’s sole-source aquifer and keep the system running efficiently.
About SCWA:
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.