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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE02-10

April 1, 2002

Contact: Charles Sturcken (718) 595-6600

City Seeks Cooperation from New Yorkers to Observe Drought Emergency Stage 1 Water Use Restrictions

On March 26, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg declared a Stage 1 Drought Emergency affecting over 8 million residents of New York City and approximately one million upstate users of City water in Westchester, Putnam, Ulster and Orange counties. When a Stage 1 Drought Emergency is declared, mandated prohibitions are placed on water use and are enforced by DEP, the New York City Police Department and authorities in upstate counties.

"It has been thirteen years since the City last declared a Drought Emergency, said Mayor Bloomberg. "Last summer's unusually dry weather, coupled with an absence of fall and winter storms, has left our reservoirs substantially depleted. Despite the fact that we have received some rainfall in the past two weeks, it has made only a small dent in the amounts of precipitation we need to return the reservoirs to normal levels for this time of the year. I am pleased to be able to announce that our call for voluntary conservation has produced a reduction in water use of nearly 30 million gallons a day, "continued the Mayor. "Now with mandated and more stringent restrictions, we should be able to hold our own at least for the near future."

NEW YORK CITY WATER USE RESTRICTIONS DROUGHT EMERGENCY STAGE 1
Leaks and Waste Prohibited Prohibited
Vehicle Washing unless using well water
Washing sidewalks driveways, streets Prohibited
Watering Lawns/turf Restricted to 7-9 am and 7-9 pm, even number addresses on even dates, odd number addresses on odd dates
Golf courses may water only tees and greens
Watering non-turf plants Only hand-held watering containers, hoses restricted to less than 5 gallons per minute (gpm)or low pressure/low-flow irrigation can be used
Ornamental Fountains Prohibited
Nonresidential users
(general)		 15% reduction in water use
Plant nurseries May use hoses, but must make 15% water use reduction
Water served in restaurants Only if requested by patron
Swimming Pools May be filled 1 time per year, must recirculate
Top off minimally as needed
Showerheads All showerheads sold or installed must use 2.5 gpm or less
Hydrant use Prohibited without DEP permit
Non-recirculating Water-cooled AC and refrigeration Over 2 tons of either is prohibited
Water-cooled AC with cooling tower Properties with steam-source refrigeration must use some condensate for cooling tower make-up.

Signs

During all stages of Drought Emergency, "SAVE WATER" signs must be posted in all buildings except residential properties under five units. The signs shall contain the following wording, shall be at least 6" x 9", and the heading "SAVE WATER" SHALL BE AT LEAST 3/4 " in height, as follows below

Save Water

Report Leaks and Water Waste
Call (718) DEP-HELP or 337-4357

A SAVE WATER SIGN IS AVAILABLE ON THE DEP WEB SITE AT nyc.gov/dep.

Signs shall be posted as follows:

  • Residential: At each entrance and mailboxes
  • Hotels: At each entrance, in common bathrooms, entrances to eating facilities, at check-in desk and at cashiers
  • Hospitals: At each entrance, bathroom, and dining room/cafeteria
  • Office Buildings: At each entrance, bathroom and dining room/cafeteria
  • Other nonresidential: At each entrance, bath or shower room, lab, cafeteria, dining area or other location where water is used.

FOR FURTHER DROUGHT INFORMATION AND REGULATIONS, CONTACT THE DEP WEBSITE AT: nyc.gov/dep.

 
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