Update Provided on Rockland’s Modified Stage II Water Emergency
Rockland County reminds residents that a Modified Stage II Water Emergency remains in effect as of 8/18/2022 in Rockland County, implementing mandatory restrictions on water use.
โI am happy to report average usage is down 11.4% since the declaration was enacted,โ ๐ฌ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ฑ๐๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฒ. โI thank our residents and businesses for acting swiftly and urge everyone to continue conserving water usage. We are all in this together and will only get out of it through our collective efforts.โ
Dry conditions sparked unprecedented flow levels in the Ramapo River, limiting the use of Veoliaโs Ramapo Valley Well Field, a significant source of water for Rockland residents.
These water saving measures, which primarily impact outdoor water usage, apply to all residents and businesses, regardless of whether the water is from a public supplier or private well.
This declaration triggered a โdrought rateโ in Veoliaโs operating tariff which goes into effect after 30 days, on September 17, resulting in a 25% surcharge for water usage only if usage is above the below thresholds:
โข Residential Customers: will be charged an additional $2.98 per CCF for any usage over 12 CCF or $3.99 per 1,000 gallons for any usage over 8,980 gallons of water per month
โข Multi-Family Customers: will be charged an additional $1.62 per CCF for any usage over 400 CCF or $2.17 per 1,000 gallons for any usage over 299,200 gallons of water per month.
โข Non-Residential Customers: will be charged an additional $1.57 per CCF for any usage over 900 CCF or $2.09 per 1,000 gallons for any usage over 673,200 gallons of water per month.
This drought rate was implemented by the New York Public Service Commission to encourage families to reduce water usage and concerns about the surcharge need to be sent to the PSC directly:
https://www3.dps.ny.gov/…/755C4F39A58C924C85257B2F0067FCA5
Mandatory Water Use Restrictions in Rockland County include:
Lawns
Lawns may be watered twice a week only on specified days. Properties with odd numbered addresses may water lawns during specific hours only on Mondays and Thursdays. Properties with even numbered addresses may water lawns during specific hours on Tuesdays and Fridays. Watering hours are between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. for automatic, in-ground irrigation systems. For manual sprinklers or hose fed irrigation the hours are between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. (NOTE: this schedule supersedes the schedule stated in the Rockland County Sanitary Code section 5.4.2.2)
Gardens & Landscape
Flower gardens, vegetable gardens and landscaped areas (trees, shrubs, potted plants or other outdoor plants) can be watered during specified hours every other day of the month according to property address. Properties with odd numbered addresses may water on odd days of the month (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, etc.) and properties with even numbered addresses may water on even days of the month (2, 4, 6, 8, etc.). Watering hours are between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., for automatic, in-ground irrigation systems. For manual sprinklers or hose fed irrigation the hours are between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Other Restrictions:
โข Nursery facilities and golf courses may exercise a water conservation plan, that is compliant with Article V of the Rockland County Sanitary Code, in lieu of the specified watering restrictions. The conservation plan must reduce average monthly usage by 10%. In addition, all water use at golf courses shall occur between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. except for hand-watering of greens.
โข Water may not be used to wash any paved surfaces (public or private) such as streets, sidewalks, driveways, tennis courts, garages, parking areas and patios, except as required for an emergency.
โข Water will not be served in restaurants unless the patron requests it.
โข The use of flow-through (non-recycled) fountains, artificial waterfalls and reflecting pools is not allowed.
โข Water cannot be used for flushing sewers or hydrants except for emergencies.
โข All water leaks must be repaired within 48 hours.
โข No bulk water supply from any source within the county may be exported outside the county.
Continue to use water efficiently indoors with low-flow shower heads and toilets (look for the Water Sense label if purchasing new fixtures), fix any leaks, sweep rather than wash paved surfaces, run only full loads in washing machines and dish washers, donโt use toilets to dispose of tissues, and consider switching to high-efficiency appliances when itโs time for replacement.
