Although several days of rain are predicted for the next week, the Suffolk County Water Authority, in correspondence to Southold Town dated July 7, stated a Stage 1 Water Alert may soon be declared for Southold. If enacted, this would prohibit all non-essential water use within the Town, including lawn irrigation, to ensure water is available for emergencies and other priority uses.
“We’ve known for some time that the activity with the biggest impact on water pressure and quantity during the summer months is residential lawn irrigation, particularly in the early morning hours,” said Supervisor Al Krupski in a press release Wednesday afternoon. “As the town works on refining an irrigation code that will help conserve and protect water quantity, as well as quality, I ask all home owners and businesses to take it upon themselves to irrigate their lawns responsibly. Lawn irrigational professionals have been supportive of proper irrigation techniques, and are an important resource to consult on timing irrigation, and use of water saving devises and strategies.”
Most people irrigate their lawns between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m., but the best practice is to irrigate between 9 p.m. and 12 a.m., according to the Suffolk County Water Authority. Other steps to conserve water include turning off irrigation during rain events, prevent over watering, and investing in smart devices for your irrigation system.
Additionally, SCWA’s website states, “non-essential uses include the washing of vehicles, streets, sidewalks, driveways, or other outdoor areas, in addition to filling up inflatable pools, and using water for ornamental purposes such as fountains, artificial waterfalls or reflecting pools.”
Through their Water Wise program, SCWA offers their customers a credit on their water bill for the purchase of irrigation controllers and sensors, rain barrels, pressure regulators, as well as many other water-saving products for your home. For more information on the products and the rebates, visit https://www.scwa.com/waterwise/ .
“Suffolk County Water Authority is considering spending millions of dollars to pipe water in from the Pine Barrens to supplement Southold’s water supply during these peak use times, so we all must carefully consider the unintended consequences this action could have on the future of Southold. It is incumbent for all of us to do our best to conserve water and protect our sole-source aquifer, which is a public asset,” said Supervisor Krupski.
The Southold Town Board will continue its public hearing on its proposed irrigation code on Tuesday, July 22 at 4:30 p.m.
Keep Independent News on the East End
The Beacon is able to provide all of our content online free of charge thanks to support from our readers. Be a vital part of keeping our community informed!
Advertisement
