By Melanie Lekocevic
Capital Region Independent Media
Greene County is one of 15 New York counties placed on a drought watch list Monday.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation declared the drought watch due to a significant shortage of rainfall and declining levels of streamflow and ground water, according to the DEC.
“Recent unseasonably warm weather and lack of precipitation have led to dry conditions for many counties in New York, resulting in some downstate areas being put under drought watch,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “Local water restrictions and educating residents about how to help conserve our water resources are crucial steps to help prevent a more severe shortage until conditions improve.”
The DEC met with federal agencies and the State Drought Management Task Force to brief them on the matter.
Residents — especially those with private wells — are encouraged to conserve water whenever possible until the drought watch is lifted.
The region is also at a higher risk of wildfires due to the dry conditions, according to the DEC.
Other counties under the drought watch include Bronx, Delaware, Dutchess, Kings, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties.
There are four levels of drought advisories — watch, warning, emergency and disaster. There are no mandatory restrictions when a county is placed under a drought watch, the first of the four advisory levels.
Homeowners are encouraged to voluntarily take steps to reduce outdoor water use:
- Water lawn only when necessary and use methods that avoid water waste; water in the early morning to reduce evaporation and maximize soil hydration.
- Reuse water collected in rain barrels and dehumidifiers to water plants.
- Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.
- Fix leaking pipes, hoses and faucets.
Due to the higher level of wildfire risk, New Yorkers are encouraged to also take steps to reduce the chances of a fire.
“Any outdoor fire can spread quickly, especially if the wind picks up,” according to a DEC statement. “It is illegal to burn leaves anywhere in New York state.”
Campfires are one of the top five causes of wildfires, so when camping, residents are encouraged to take these steps:
- Use existing campfire rings where possible.
- Build campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps, logs, dry grass and leaves. Pile extra wood away from the fire.
- Clear the area around the ring of leaves, twigs and other flammable materials.
- Never leave a campfire unattended. Even a small breeze could cause the fire to spread quickly.
- Put out the campfire with water and make sure all embers, coals and sticks are wet. Move rocks as there may be burning embers underneath them.
For more water-saving tips, visit dec.ny.gov.
