By EVAN NEMEROFF
The Long Island American Water Company, which usually supplies around 28 million gallons of water during the summer months, has distributed about 50 million gallons this year.
Due to the excessive water usage, the company, which is the largest water supplier in Nassau County, providing high-quality and reliable water services to more than 200,000 people in 31 communities, is encouraging customers to curtail their use of water after a hot and humid summer.
"During hot and dry summers, residents feel the need to use more water inside and outside of their homes," said Lendel Jones, Vice President of External Affairs at Long Island American Water. "Anytime there is prolonged spikes in water usage, which usually lasts for many weeks, we ask our customers to cut back in their usage of water."
The company is not afraid that there will be a water shortage, but is still warning customers to avoid using water when it is not needed.
"We urge our customers to not do things that aren't necessary for them to do and they usually listen to our alert," Jones said. "We are thankful that they do follow our advice to curtail their water usage so there isn't a water shortage."
The Long Island American Water Company continues to inform customers to conserve their water wisely. Such activities that the company urges residents to adopt include the odd/even schedule to water their lawns (this means that odd-numbered houses water their lawns on odd days while even-numbered ones perform this action on even days), to turn off water while brushing their teeth and to shorten showers to seven to 10 minutes in length. Another method to save water in the house is to do full loads of laundry or dishes at once.
Outside the house, instead of a hose to clean patios, sidewalks or driveways, the company suggests the use of a broom. They also hope their customers only water their lawns and plants when necessary, and grow appropriate plants for the climate.
With so much water being used, there are also reports that pressure has been minimized in fire hydrants in Lawrence and Hewlett which makes it difficult for firefighters to do their jobs effectively.
"Because the pipes are older, they get corroded easily and the diameter becomes smaller and smaller for the pressure to come out," said Donovan Wright, fire chief of the Lawrence-Cedarhurst fire department. "There have not been many fires this year, but the one we did have last year on Oxford Place was really difficult to get out. We somehow managed to save the house."
Long Island American Water claims to be unaware of this problem, but said they will look into the reports.
On July 18, the company announced a significant water main replacement and installation project in the Villages of Lawrence and Woodsburgh. The project plans to increase water pressure for residents while also improving service reliability. The main reason why these two villages were chosen was based on the age of the pipes. Some are over 100 years old.
"The plan for infrastructure worsened and there was an influx in growth and development needs in these villages," Jones said.
Work has already begun to replace, install and connect more than 2.3 miles of pipeline. The areas being worked on are the intersections of Meadow Drive and Broadway in Woodsburgh to start and will end at Tanglewood Drive and Willow Way in Lawrence.
"Fixing these pipes is a big plus," Wright said. "The houses in these villages are million-dollar homes, and if there is not enough water, the houses will burn."
The company will alert residents who live near the construction sites about the repairs and feel that there will not be any effect on water supply during this time.
Jones also said that other communities in the Five Towns will eventually get their pipes fixed and that these areas will be chosen based on age as well.
For more tips on how to use water wisely, visit www.longislandamwater.com.
Comments about this story? enemeroff@liherald.com or (516)-569-4000 ext. 210.
