While the community’s water supply held steady this past week – Bog Meadow Reservoir is still at 40 percent capacity – local officials are sounding the warning bell to residents: conserve water!
The Town of Highlands sent out an electronic message last Friday saying “Effective immediately and until further notice, the Town of Highlands is restricting outdoor water use: lawn watering or irrigation systems, washing automobiles, equipment, property, etc. Please continue to check that all faucets, toilets, showers, and outdoor hose bibs are in good working order and not dripping or leaking.
Water conservation is the wise use of our valuable resources and ensures an adequate supply for the future. Thank you for your cooperation.”
And Mayor Joe D’Onofrio, whose Highland Falls Water Department oversees the reservoir system that feeds into Highland Falls and then Fort Montgomery, said that the water level is currently down four feet, three inches, and it is being monitored daily.
On Sunday, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) declared a drought watch for 15 New York counties because of a significant shortage of rainfall and declining levels of streamflow and ground water – Orange County is one of the counties affected.
New York State is encouraging residents in affected counties, particularly those dependent on private groundwater wells, to conserve water whenever possible during the coming weeks. A watch is the first of four levels of State drought advisories, which are watch, warning, emergency, and disaster. No mandatory restrictions are in place under a state Drought Watch.
DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “Recent unseasonably warm weather and lack of precipitation have led to dry conditions for many counties in New York, resulting in some downstate areas being put under drought watch. Local water restrictions and educating residents about how to help conserve our water resources are crucial steps to help prevent a more severe shortage until conditions improve.”
For water saving tips, visit dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quantity/water-use-conservation.