Mandatory Water Restrictions Implemented For Northern Westchester

NORTHERN WESTCHESTER, NY — Get ready to tighten your water-usage belts.

The Northern Westchester Joint Water Works, which provides drinking water to the towns of Cortlandt, Yorktown and Somers, the Montrose Improvement District and Buchanan, is implementing a mandatory water restriction notice effective July 12 through Oct. 12.

Officials said the goal is to reduce demand without disrupting daily life. The water restrictions will not impact indoor domestic water use, including laundry, washing dishes, personal hygiene needs, drinking and cooking and cleaning and sanitizing.

Mandatory water restrictions will be implemented by following odd/even days for outdoor usage.

They are:

• Persons or businesses located at even-numbered addresses may water lawns, shrubs, plants and gardens only on even-numbered days.
• Persons or businesses located at odd-numbered addresses may water lawns, shrubs plants and gardens only on odd-numbered days.
• Persons or businesses at addresses that are neither odd- nor even-numbered, such as numbers that end in a fraction or letter, shall follow the schedule for even-numbered addresses.
• Swimming pools shall not be filled on weekends.
• Use of water hoses for street cleaning is prohibited.

The provision shall not apply to plant nurseries and other commercial water users engaged in the business of growing, distributing or selling plants, shrubs or trees, only with respect to the use of water on their business premises for watering plants, shrubs or trees.

Water works officials said the agency is undergoing capital improvements at the Amawalk Water Treatment Facility, which will reduce the total production capacity by 25 percent.

Historically, this would not be a cause for concern, but the water works has experienced an increase in demand as a direct result of coronavirus imposed travel restrictions.

Taking these small steps should minimize any disruptions and ensure the towns have adequate water supply through the summer.

The restrictions will be lifted as soon as demand projections change or operations change.