Thursday, October 11, 2007 

798-5800

Picente: Water Emergency Continues;

Water Conservation Measures Revised

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. today announced that Oneida County will continue to impose its water emergency measures in Oneida County .

“Although the recent rains have had some positive impact on the water levels at the Hinckley Reservoir, it is very important that the water conservation measures we have put in place over the last few days remain in force,” Picente said. “We don’t have the same level of concern that we had in late September, but the County needs to continue to practice water conservation to avoid any actions that could put us back to where we were when the emergency was first declared.”

 Picente said that water levels are being continuously monitored by the Oneida County Health Department, the Mohawk Valley Water Authority and the New York State Health Department. “I want to thank all of the water users in the Mohawk Valley Water Authority’s service area for their cooperation with the conservation measures we have put in place,” Picente said. “I remain very concerned and I intend to stay on top of the situation because, even though we are not facing the situation we were in a few days ago, water levels are still low.”

Picente said that collaboration among state and local agencies has had a positive impact on water flow out of Hinckley . “This water emergency has been a wake-up call that alerts us to what can happen and the continuing need for cooperation among all of the local, regional and state-level governments and agencies involved in managing our water resources. Now is the time, as we appear to be making some progress on dealing with the immediate needs of our water users, to bring everyone together to develop a long-range water use plan that meets the needs of the canal, the demands of our communities, the needs of sportsmen and recreational boaters and makes allowance for economic growth. I will work with our state and community agencies to bring everyone together on this issue for the sake of the region.” 

Although the County remains vigilant, Picente said the emergency’s water conservation measures have been modified from those announced when the emergency was first declared.

Picente said the following revised water conservation measures, which are to be considered mandatory during this extension of the water emergency period, shall take affect immediately, and shall remain in effect until the state of emergency is lifted. Violations of these restrictions will be investigated and documented by MVWA employees. Any such violations may result in temporary suspension of water service after one warning.

• Homeowners, landlords, and commercial property owners should continue to be vigilant regarding leaking plumbing fixtures and conduct necessary repairs as quickly as possible.

• Non-commercial vehicle washing may be done sparingly.

• Commercial vehicle washing operations may continue only if 50% of the water used is re-circulated.

• Washing of streets, sidewalks, driveways, or building exteriors may be done once per week.

• Supplemental flows for ornamental use, such as fountains, artificial waterfalls, reflecting pools or ponds should be discontinued.

• Irrigation use will be permitted as follows:

o       Watering of lawns, shrubs, flower or vegetable gardens or golf course greens may be resumed using a hose or sprinkler system only between the hours of
7:00 pm and 9:00 pm.

 o       Individual plants may be watered at any time using a hand held container.  

o       Commercial nurseries, farms, or others engaged in the business of growing or selling plants, fruits, or vegetables may use water for irrigation if daily use is reduced by 15% below normal usage.