This is the first time that this happened in 20 years in New York State.

Governor Hochul made the announcement yesterday. The water supply levels are so dangerously low that there has been a drought warning issued.

Counties under the drought warning are Bronx, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Kings, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester. New York State is encouraging residents in affected counties, particularly those dependent on private groundwater wells, to conserve water whenever possible during the coming weeks

Recent unseasonably warm weather and lack of precipitation have led to dry conditions for many counties in New York, resulting in Hudson Valley and New York City area counties being elevated to drought warning status and a statewide drought watch," Governor Hochul said.

How do people need to try saving water during a drought? Of course you need to still be able to take a shower and wash your clothes and dishes? Here are some tips.

  • Take shorter showers and save 5 to 7 gallons a minute
  • When taking a bath, fill the tub only halfway and save 10 to 15 gallons
  • Install water-saving toilets, showerheads and faucet aerators. Place a plastic bottle filled with water in your toilet tank if you cannot switch to a low-flow toilet.
  • Turn off the faucet while shaving, washing your hands or brushing your teeth. Faucets use 2 to 3 gallons a minute.
  • Trash It. Don’t Flush It.
    • Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when full. Save even more by using the short cycle.
    • Install faucet aerators.
    • Turn off the water while washing dishes. Kitchen faucets use 2 to 3 gallons a minute. Filling a basin only takes 10 gallons to wash and rinse.

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