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  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2002
PR-023-02
www.nyc.gov


MAYOR BLOOMBERG ASKS NEW YORKERS TO SAVE WATER

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Joel Miele announced today that the reservoirs of the New York City Water Supply System were experiencing serious shortages and that the City was on the precipice of a drought warning. The Mayor asked New Yorkers to practice water conservation measures.

"The levels of our upstate reservoirs are almost fifty percent below normal capacity for this time of year," said Mayor Bloomberg. "They are usually over eighty percent full towards the end of January, as of yesterday their levels were only at 41 percent of capacity. I am asking all New Yorkers to save water in their everyday activities at home and at work."

New York City reservoir system entered a Drought Watch on Sunday, December 23. Drought Watch, the first phase in the City's Drought Management Plan, is declared when there is less than a fifty percent chance that the reservoirs of either the Delaware System or Catskill System will be full by June 1, when the reservoirs are normally full. Without significant precipitation in the watershed soon, the water supply system will enter into a Drought Warning, the second phase of the Drought Management Plan. A Drought Warning is declared when the chance of refilling either the Catskill or Delaware System reservoirs is less than 33%. These determinations are reached through careful analyses of projected reservoir operations and the historical records of reservoir levels, precipitation and runoff.

The low water levels are attributed to below average rainfall in the City's nearly 2,000-square-mile watershed over the past year. In fact, the precipitation deficit between January and December 2001 was over eleven inches in a watershed that averages 44.5 inches annually. Additionally, this summer, the City released a record amount --110 billion gallons -- to maintain flow in the Delaware River.

In recent years, daily water use in the City has been averaging about 1.2 billion gallons per day, well below the 1.45 billion gallons consumed in 1991. The dramatic reduction in consumption is attributable to several comprehensive water conservation measures implemented in the City and by DEP over the last ten years, including the installation of water meters and of nearly 1.7 million low-flow toilets and other plumbing fixtures. Without those conservation measures, the City would have declared a Drought Warning many weeks ago.

Mayor Bloomberg is urging residents and businesses to practice voluntary water conservation to help extend the current water supply. Simple tips for conserving water include operating dishwashers and washing machines only when full, taking shorter showers or shallow baths, and sweeping sidewalks clean instead of using a water hose. Other important conservation measures include fixing faucet leaks, which can waste hundreds of gallons of water every week, and reporting illegally opened hydrants to DEP's 24-hour helpline, 718/DEP-HELP (718/337-4357). New Yorkers may read more about water conservation and the City's water supply on-line at www.nyc.gov/dep.

Water Saving Tips

1. Report open fire hydrants and street leaks to DEP's 24-hour helpline, 718/DEP-HELP. An open hydrant can waste one million gallons of drinking water per day.

2. Take advantage of DEP's free water survey to help save water and cut water bills in residential and commercial buildings. To apply City residents can call 718/DEP-HELP.

3. Take shorter showers or fill the tub only halfway and save water.

4. Don't run the tap while shaving or brushing your teeth.

5. Fix leaks. Leaky faucets alone can waste up to 1,000 gallons each week.

6. Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when full. Use short cycles if available.

7. Don't use the toilet as a wastebasket. Each unnecessary flush can waste 1.6 to 5 gallons.

8. Install water-saving fixtures including toilets, showerheads and faucet aerators.

9. Sweep driveways and sidewalks clean rather than washing them down with a hose.

10. For more water saving ideas visit DEP's Web site at www.nyc.gov/dep.

www.nyc.gov

Contact: Edward Skyler / Jordan Barowitz
(212) 788-2958
Charlie Sturken (DEP)
(718) 595-6568