Press Releases

Contact: Public Relations Department
Suffolk County Water Authority
PO Box 37
Oakdale NY 11769
(631) 563-0296

July 24, 2002
SCWA Calls For Voluntary Odd/Even Watering

Due to unusual water demands brought on by early morning lawn watering, the Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) today called on all of its customers to follow odd/even lawn watering guidelines.

According to Stephen Jones, Chief Executive Officer, “Early morning water demands, created principally by automatic sprinkler systems during the summer, are exceeding our systems’ ability to deliver water at normal pressures in some areas.” Jones continued, “We have a sufficient supply of water, but our water mains, tanks and wells were not designed to meet this tremendous demand all at once.”

The increased demand can be attributed to Suffolk County’s economic prosperity in recent years, which allowed many people to afford automated irrigation systems.

Jones said, “During the past 10 to 15 years, many homeowners and businesses installed in-ground irrigation systems to water their lawns and gardens.” Jones continued, “Homeowners whose in-ground systems are experiencing pressure problems can often see significant improvement by simply watering at a different time of the day when the demand for water is less.” He added, “Customers can reset their system timers to water on odd or even days or can contact their irrigation contractor if they need help resetting their system timers.”

Robert Murray, Director of Production Control for the SCWA said, “During the summer months, we see a tremendous rise in the demand for water beginning at about 2:00 a.m. and lasting until 7:00 a.m. This represents the time when many in-ground sprinkler systems are running.” Murray continued, “During this period in the morning, our wells and pumps are running flat out and we’re still emptying elevated tanks in certain areas. As a result, when regular domestic demand begins at 6:00 a.m. for showers and other morning activities, the water pressure just isn’t there and the customer complaints begin.”

Under odd/even watering, homeowners and businesses with addresses ending with an odd number should water on odd numbered calendar days. Likewise, homeowners and businesses with addresses ending with an even number should water on even numbered calendar days.

“The unpleasant alternative to odd/even watering is to build more water tanks, rip up roads and put in larger water mains, and to drill more wells,” Jones said, “which would cost millions of dollars, stress the aquifer, and raise water rates. That doesn’t make sense when something as simple as odd/even watering and watering at different times would fix the problem!”

Additional information on odd/even watering is available under our environment section.

The Suffolk County Water Authority is an independent public corporation operating by virtue of the Public Authorities Law of the State of New York. Serving about 80% of Suffolk’s residents, it operates without taxing power on a non-profit basis.