Suffolk water authority urges conservation as heat strains supply

Heavy overnight and early-morning lawn irrigation pushed Suffolk County Water Authority storage tanks to low morning levels as demand climbed toward record highs ahead of the July 4 holiday weekend. Suffolk County Water Authority issued a Stage 1 Water Alert for its 1.2 million customers and urged residents to cut back while dangerous heat was expected to linger for multiple days.

Peak demand hit 520,000 gallons per minute multiple times this summer, a pace that has pushed the system to its limits. SCWA uses an odd-even lawn watering schedule to flatten those spikes and protect Suffolk County’s sole-source underground aquifer, the county’s only source of drinking water.

The strain stems largely from nonessential outdoor use, especially heavy overnight and early morning watering that leaves tanks starting the day low. Those tanks are critical for maintaining water pressure and supporting fire protection, and low levels can hinder emergency response when crews need water most.

The U.S. Drought Monitor classifies Long Island as being in a severe drought, and state officials elevated Nassau and Suffolk counties from Drought Watch to Drought Warning on May 14, 2026 because of a shortage of rainfall and declining streamflow and groundwater. Drought.gov estimates 1,493,350 people in Suffolk County are affected.

The National Weather Service has forecast dangerous heat on Long Island around the July 4 holiday, with temperatures that could feel above 100 degrees for multiple days. High temperatures drive up outdoor use just as the system is trying to refill overnight.

SCWA issued a Stage 1 Water Alert on July 23, 2025, then rescinded it on September 10, 2025 after weeks of reduced demand improved system conditions. This time, officials are asking customers to avoid wasting water during peak hours and to use tools such as smart irrigation controllers and rain sensors, which can cut household use significantly.