New York State officials on Tuesday announced that Long Island was under a Drought Watch. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued the watch after consulting with experts from the State Drought Management Task Force. State officials say that citizens are strongly encouraged to voluntarily conserve water
Conservation tips for homeowners to reduce outdoor water usage include:
- Fix dripping and leaking faucets and toilets. A faucet leaking 30 drops per minute wastes 54 gallons a month;
- Raise lawn mower cutting height. Longer grass needs less water;
- If the community allows watering, water lawns and gardens on alternate mornings instead of every day. Less frequent watering will develop grass with deeper roots, and early morning watering minimizes evaporation;
- When using automatic lawn watering systems, override the system in wet weather or use a rain gauge to control when and how much water to use. A fixed watering schedule wastes water. Irrigate only when needed to save water and improve the lawn’s health;
- Sweep sidewalks and steps rather than hosing them. Eliminating a weekly, five-minute pavement hose-down could save between 625 and 2,500 gallons of water per year depending on the flow rate.
For more water saving tips, visit DEC’s webpage at http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/5009.html.
(Photo: AP Images)
