Cattaraugus, Allegany, Steuben counties all in drought warning
How you can conserve water
From the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation,
Today, September 24th, a drought warning was issued in 12 counties in the Adirondack and Southern Tier regions and a drought watch was expanded to include 6 counties in the Susquehanna region.
A drought watch or warning is now in effect for the entire state except for New York City and Westchester County.
The counties under the drought warning are: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chemung, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, northern Herkimer, Lewis, Steuben, St. Lawrence, and Warren. The counties added to the drought watch are Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Otsego, Madison, and Tioga.
There are four levels of State drought advisories: watch, warning, emergency, and disaster. There are no mandatory State restrictions under a drought watch or warning. A warning declaration is a notice of impending and imminent severe drought conditions and includes increasing public awareness and voluntary water conservation. Public water supply purveyors and industries are urged to continue to implement local drought contingency plans.
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. By voluntarily reducing water usage, and being extra careful with fire and outdoor flames, New Yorkers can help conserve our natural resources.
Help communities conserve water by following some simple tips:
Water lawns only when necessary and choose watering methods that avoid waste. Water in the early morning to reduce evaporation and maximize soil hydration
Reuse water collected in rain barrels, dehumidifiers, or air conditioners to water plants
Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks
Fix leaking pipes, fixtures, toilets, hoses, and faucets
Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry
Take shorter showers or fill the bathtub only part way
Install water saving plumbing fixtures
Don’t run the tap to make water hot or cold
Wash cars less frequently
