Suffolk residents feeling a little arid are facing abnormally dry conditions with a precipitation deficit of 4.14 inches below normal since January. The prolonged dry spell has prompted the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to issue a drought watch for Suffolk and 19 other counties.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said the watch was necessary despite an occasional rainstorm. “Even with some recent rain, it wasn’t enough to reduce the dry conditions we’ve seen most of the summer this year,” she said. “In order to prevent a more severe shortage should conditions worsen, we could see local water restrictions in the Long Island, Adirondack, and Great Lakes regions of the state.”
While no mandatory restrictions are currently in place, residents are urged to conserve water to prevent further depletion of local resources. Low streamflows and declining groundwater levels have raised concerns over the county’s sole-source aquifer, which provides drinking water for millions.
The Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) reported a peak demand this summer at 520,000 gallons per minute, straining storage tanks and affecting water pressure. To help manage the system, the agency issued a Stage 1 Water Alert, asking customers to refrain from watering or follow an odd-even schedule if irrigation is necessary.
Officials are encouraging residents to take simple conservation measures: fix leaks promptly, use collected rainwater for plants, shorten showers, and limit outdoor hose use. Every gallon saved contributes to maintaining water pressure and ensuring an adequate supply for homes, businesses, and emergency services, officials note.
The drought watch comes as state agencies continue to monitor conditions across New York. The DEC and the U.S. Geological Survey evaluate stream flows, groundwater levels, and precipitation in the state’s nine drought regions to determine when action is necessary. Officials say the early notice allows residents and local water suppliers to take voluntary conservation steps before more severe shortages occur.