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Oswego County, part of Cayuga County, issued drought watch, along with 18 others in NY

ALBANY, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced that 20 counties — including Oswego and a portion of Cayuga — are now under a Drought Watch.

“While it’s not mandatory, we’re encouraging everyone who lives in the drought watch areas to do what they can to conserve water during this dry weather,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said in a statement. “DEC will continue to monitor the conditions and work with our agency partners to address these short-term issues as well as the longer-term impacts of climate change.”

The drought watch is triggered by the State Drought Index, which reflects levels of precipitation, water levels at reservoirs and lakes, and stream flow and ground water levels in the affected counties. A watch is the first of four levels of advisories: watch, warning, emergency, and disaster.

The DEC cited below-normal precipitation during the last three months, low streamflows, and low groundwater levels as the reasons for the drought watch.

Currently, no mandatory restrictions are in place. The other counties currently in the drought watch are Chautauqua, Clinton, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Genesee, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, Monroe, Nassau, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Warren, Wayne, and the northern portion of Cayuga County.

The DEC has issued some tips to reduce water usage:

  • Water lawns only when necessary, choose watering methods that avoid waste, and water in the early morning to reduce evaporation and maximize soil hydration;
  • Reuse water collected in rain barrels, dehumidifiers, or air conditioners to water plants;
  • Raise lawn mower cutting heights. Longer grass is healthier with stronger roots and needs less water;
  • Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks;
  • Fix leaking pipes, hoses, and faucets;
  • Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry;
  • Take shorter showers or fill the bathtub partly;
  • Install water saving plumbing fixtures;
  • Don’t run the tap to make water hot or cold; and
  • Wash cars less frequently.

For more information about the drought watch and other water-saving tips, you are encouraged to visit the DEC’s website at the link here.

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