We are an island, surrounded by non-potable water.
Most of the water we drink is left from the glacial age, somewhat renewed by rainfall. We have no mountains to collect snow and no rivers to dam.
If we act now we will not be like Washington State or California.
It is time to stop alternate day watering. In fact to totally stop irrational water usage before we really need rationing. I have not turned on my watering system except for the week while we were away on a cruise ship.
Nothing happened to my extensive garden last year or so far this year. Routine rainfalls satisfy the needs of most of the plants.
Suggestions:
Watering not be allowed except in a drought. That to be declared by the Town of North Hempstead.
A permit requirement for watering to establish a new lawn.
A fine for watering without a special permit when watering is not allowed.
A lawsuit to keep NYC from tapping the limited reservoir underneath the island. And that the NYC system be available to the Town of North Hempstead if they insist on tapping, when our needs are no longer able to be met.
The surrounding salt sea invading our reservoir is already causing problems. So is the pollution of massive areas of groundwater.
Consider all the fertilizer and bug fumigant as poisons added to our drinking water.
Think ‘bottled’ water as the only future potable source. Check the prices.
For users of water of about 100,000 gallons it is only $2.45 per thounsand gallons from the Manhasset-Lakeville Water Department.
Less than a cup of coffee at a national chainstore.
Norman Roland
Great Neck
