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Suffolk County Issues Water Conservation Alert

SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork)-- The lack of rain and local water use habits has officials in one Long Island county issuing a stage one water alert.

Suffolk County Water Authority is asking homeowners to irrigate their lawns in the evening instead of peak morning hours and to minimize non-essential water use, WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs reported. 

"Everything from washing the car when they get home at night and washing off the sidewalk in front of the home, anything that's non-essential," Water Authority CEO Jeff Sabo said.

The stage one water alert is voluntary, but necessary to get through the dry spell, Sabo added.

"If everyone does a little bit, it will have a great impact on our ability to provide water," he said.

The Authority is asking customers to adjust irrigation system timers to operate during evening hours from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.

"During the hot summer months, one of the most important things Suffolk residents can do is make sure they are not wasting water," Water Authority Chairman James F. Gaughran said in a press release. "SCWA is proud to provide some of the highest quality and most affordable drinking water in the country, and with your help, we will only improve on that mission."

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