Albany, N.Y. - Governor Cuomo announced today that the State has issued a "Drought Watch" for four regions of New York
Those regions include Long Island, the Upper Hudson/Mohawk area, the Adirondacks, and the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence area. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued the watch after consulting with experts.
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "While the watch is just the first stage, it gives New York State agencies and emergency response advanced notice of a developing drought. We can all do our part conserving water now. Minor changes in your everyday routine can go a long way in helping prevent increased drought levels."
A map of New York drought conditions is available here.
Below are tips on how to conserve water:
•Fix dripping and leaking faucets and toilets. A faucet leaking 30 drops per minute wastes 54 gallons a month;
•Raise lawn mower cutting height. Longer grass needs less water;
•If the community allows watering, water lawns and gardens on alternate mornings instead of every day. Less frequent watering will develop grass with deeper roots, and early morning watering minimizes evaporation;
•When using automatic lawn watering systems, override the system in wet weather or use a rain gauge to control when and how much water to use. A fixed watering schedule wastes water. Irrigate only when needed to save water and improve the lawn's health;
•Sweep sidewalks and steps rather than hosing them. Eliminating a weekly, five-minute pavement hose-down could save between 625 and 2,500 gallons of water per year depending on the flow rate.
(Getty Images)