The Suffolk County Water Authority issued a Stage 1 Water Alert Wednesday, July 23 for all 1.2 million customers it serves.
“We need our customers to take immediate action to reduce their water use,” said SCWA Chairman of the Board Charlie Lefkowitz in a media alert Wednesday morning. “Water is a limited resource, especially during peak summer demand, and we need to ensure there’s enough available for critical needs like fire protection.”
Pictured Above: Suffolk County Water Authority CEO Jeff Szabo at a Scoping Session in June on the North Fork Pipeline.
According to the media alert, the Water Authority has for several weeks, “been notifying customers of high usage in the following areas: Eaton’s Neck, Kings Park, North Bay Shore, Selden, Montauk and the Town of Southold. These areas remain a particular concern even as the alert is issued for SCWA’s entire service territory.”
“This alert follows weeks of elevated water use across Suffolk County, which has led to dangerously low levels in water storage tanks—particularly during early morning hours when demand typically peaks. If demand continues at this rate, customers may experience reduced water pressure at their homes or businesses,” according to the Water Authority. “More importantly, low tank levels threaten SCWA’s ability to maintain adequate pressure and reserve supply in the event of a fire emergency.”
“We’re working around the clock to keep up with demand and maintain pressure throughout the system, but we need help,” said SCWA Chief Executive Officer Jeff Szabo. “This is a shared responsibility. Everyone doing their part makes a real difference.”
On Tuesday evening, July 22, Mr. Szabo made an impassioned plea to the Southold Town Board to enact a new irrigation code, which included several measures already recommended by the Water Authority. The Southold Town Board approved the new law, though it will not take effect until it is filed with New York State.
The Water Authority is asking its customers to eliminate all unnecessary water use, to limit lawn watering and, if watering is necessary, strictly follow the odd/even lawn watering schedule, and to not water lawns between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
“SCWA began warning customers in some areas about high water demand in June. However, after multiple consecutive days of low tank levels and continued high usage, SCWA is now taking the additional step of issuing this official alert for all customers. This is the first Stage 1 Water Alert issued since 2022,” according to the Water Authority. “High demand is expected to continue throughout the summer unless customers significantly reduce their usage.”
For more information and water-saving tips, visit www.scwa.com/conservation or call SCWA Customer Service at (631) 698-9500.
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We keep getting these low water alerts which is a dangerous situation. However, developers are still allowed to build endless new construction further straining out water system as well as everything else. Apartment buildings and condos going up all the time. Why doesn’t the SCWA step in and speak to the local governments and have smart planning?