Drought Preparedness

Conserving water is particularly important when drought strikes, but it’s also a good habit to be in all the time.

• Reduce Household Water Use
  • Identify and fix water leaks in your household
  • If possible, install energy and water-efficient appliances and plumbing fixtures
  • Take shorter showers and turn off water while brushing your teeth, shaving, washing hands, and washing dishes.
  • Run dish washers and laundry machines less frequently and only when you have a full load
  • Contact local water municipalities to learn more about your water restrictions
• General Water Safety Tips
  • Fix dripping faucets by replacing washers. One drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons of water a year.
  • Check all plumbing for leaks and have any leaks repaired by a plumber.
  • Retrofit all household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors.
  • Install an instant hot water heater on your sink.
  • Insulate your water pipes to reduce heat loss and prevent them from breaking.
  • Install a water-softening system only when the minerals in the water would damage your pipes. Turn the softener off while on vacation.
  • Choose appliances that are more energy and water efficient.

Residential wells and springs are often the first drinking water resources to run dry in times of drought. It has become common in parts of New York State to truck water to residents in need. This water is often pumped into failing wells to replace diminishing groundwater and although this may provide short-term relief, it can be bad for several important reasons. Please read an article titled Hauling Potable Water: Good or Bad? (PDF) excerpted from Size Up, the magazine of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs.

There is another important component to putting water down wells, assuming it is clean and the hauler is properly certified. Federal requirements of the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program consider placement of water (even potable water) down a well to be underground injection. The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has an agreement - certified bulk haulers can submit a copy of their NYSDOH monthly operating report (DOH Form 357b) to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for any month when they put water down a well, thereby meeting the UIC reporting requirements. If water is placed in a well and not reported to EPA, it is in violation of Federal law.

General

• Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it. For example, use it to water your indoor plants or garden.

Kitchen

• Kitchen garbage disposals require lots of water. Instead, throw food in the garbage or start a compost pile.
• Don't rinse dishes before placing them in the dishwasher, just throw particles of food into the garbage.
• Operate dishwashers only when they are full. Use the "light wash" feature to use less water.
• When hand washing dishes, save water by filling two containers - one with soapy water and the other with rinse water. Utilize these a few times before disposing.
• Don’t waste water waiting for it to get hot or cold. Capture it for other uses such as plant watering or keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator.
• Avoid using running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave.

Bathroom

• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
• Take short showers instead of baths. Turn on the water only to get wet and lather and then again to rinse off.
• Avoid letting the water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face, hands, or shaving.

Laundry

• Operate washing machines only when they are fully loaded.

General Tips

• If you have a well at home, check your pump periodically. If the pump turns on and off while water is not being used, you have a leak.
• Consider rainwater harvesting where practical.
• Contact your local water provider for information and assistance.

Lawn Care

• A heavy rain eliminates the need for watering for up to two weeks. Most of the year, lawns only need one inch of water per week.
• Check the soil moisture levels with a soil probe, spade or large screwdriver. You don't need to water if the soil is still moist. If your grass springs back when you step on it, it doesn't need water yet.
• If your lawn does require watering, do so early in the morning or later in the evening, when temperatures are cooler.
• Water in several short sessions rather than one long one, for your lawn to better absorb moisture and avoid runoff.
• Use a broom or blower instead of a hose to clean leaves and other debris from your driveway or sidewalk.
• Avoid leaving sprinklers or hoses unattended. A garden hose can pour out 600 gallons or more in only a few hours.
• In extreme drought, allow lawns to die in favor of preserving trees and large shrubs.

Car Washing

• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
• If you wash your own car, use a shut-off nozzle that can be adjusted down to a fine spray on your hose.