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water conservation

County officials continue plea for residents to conserve water, especially on hot, dry days

By Press Release

Press release:

Genesee County officials continue to ask residents to conserve water, especially on hot dry days.

According to county officials, there are two driving factors behind the conservation efforts. The first is that the water infrastructure improvements the county planned to have in place by the summer of 2020 still have not been completed due to complications with the coronavirus pandemic. Second, and more recently, the water level in the aquifer that feeds the City of Batavia Water Treatment Plant is approaching historic lows.

The City of Batavia Water Treatment Plant provides nearly 50 percent of the county's water needs.

The county stressed it has plenty of water 24/7/365 on average days, but without conservation efforts, producing enough water on hot, dry days will be challenging as groundwater levels will continue to drop through the summer. The county is again asking everyone to be smart with their water as summer progresses.

Please avoid watering lawns and washing cars. There are plenty of other ways to save water as well.

Without water conservation measures in place, had events like Monday's large barn fire in Le Roy occurred in the middle of a hot/dry stretch, there would have been major supply issues. There are plans in place for emergency water supply and pumping, but it is much easier if everyone works together to do a small part.

Government officials ask residents to conserve water during 'unseasonably hot weather' ahead

By Press Release

Press release:

Officials from Genesee County, the City and Town of Batavia, Village of Oakfield, Village of Elba, and the Genesee County Department of Health are once again reminding residents connected to the Public Water Supply System to conserve water.  

The call to conserve takes on even greater importance with unseasonably hot weather forecasted for next several days, including over the weekend and into next week. 

Residents are urged to avoid filling swimming pools, watering lawns and washing cars and only use appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines for full loads.

Another conservation measure is to check faucets and pipes for leaks which often can be repaired with an inexpensive washer. Toilets also should be checked for leaks and can be done by putting a small amount of food coloring to the toilet tank. If, without flushing, the color begins to appear in the bowl, you have a leak that should be repaired immediately.

Taking shorter showers also helps as five to 10 gallons are used per minute. To help conserve water in your shower use easy to install water-saving showerheads or flow restrictors which are available at area hardware or plumbing stores.

For more information, please contact Tim Hens, the Genesee County engineer, at (585) 344-8508 or the Genesee County Department of Health at (585) 344-2580, ext. 5510.

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