The state isn’t ordering any water use restrictions…yet…but Governor Cuomo has raised the drought alert level for Western New York from “drought watch” to a “drought warning” as the dry summer gets worse.
Less than a quarter of the year’s normal rainfall means streams and groundwater levels are extremely low.
The order means people should voluntarily conserve water…not washing cars, watering lawns frequently or using hose to wash down driveways and steps. More serious drought conditions could force declaration of a “drought emergency.” At that level, water systems have to begin imposing restrictions. Beyond that is “drought disaster” at which usage limits have to be imposed and the state asks for federal disaster aid.
The drought warning covers Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Genesee, Livingston and Wayne Counties as well as the rest of the the state from the Finger Lakes to Buffalo.