Long Island relies on a “sole source aquifer” for its drinking water, and in the summer, the supply is drained to its limits, mostly from lawn sprinklers and irrigation. With hot, dry weather continuing, the Suffolk County Water Authority is warning all customers that usage remains at dangerously high levels and is urging immediate conservation.
Peak demand has hit 520,000 gallons per minute multiple times this summer, pushing the system to its limits, according to Jeff Szabo, SCWA CEO. Several weeks of sustained high overnight and early-morning irrigation use have left water storage tanks starting the day at low levels and taking longer to recover.
“Those tanks are essential to maintaining pressure in the distribution system. When levels drop too low, water flow to homes and businesses can diminish—and, in the event of a fire, emergency services may not have the supply they need to respond,” he warned. “With every well, pump, and treatment facility already operating at full capacity, there is no reserve infrastructure to meet the surge.”
“Unfortunately, not enough of our customers have been cutting back,” said SCWA Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz. “If this continues, we’ll see more drops in water pressure, and our ability to respond to emergencies like fires will be at risk.”
The Stage 1 Water Alert, issued July 23, remains in effect for all SCWA customers, including residences, businesses, and golf courses. The authority is asking everyone to stop lawn watering until further notice. If watering is necessary, customers must follow an odd/even schedule based on their house number and not water between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
“Our crews are doing everything possible to keep water flowing, but this is a shared responsibility,” Szabo stressed. “If customers don’t take these restrictions seriously, we risk widespread pressure drops that could leave firefighters without the water they need in an emergency. This is all about public safety.”
Szabo noted that building more wells to meet peak demand is not the answer. Overdrawing the aquifer would threaten water quality, and constructing new facilities for use only a few days each summer would cost millions, raising customer rates.
Instead, the focus is on spreading out demand. Most residents already water every other day, but many do so on the same mornings, creating massive strain on the system. Following the odd/even schedule more evenly distributes usage and allows tanks time to recover.
SCWA also urges customers to fix leaks promptly, delay car washing, and avoid using hoses to clean sidewalks or driveways.
“This is not just about lawn health—it’s about community safety,” Szabo said. “Every gallon saved makes a difference.” For more information, go to: www.scwa.com/conservation.