Outside Watering Banned in Rye City – $250 Fines; Golf Courses Partially Exempt

Effective immediately, the City of Rye has declared a Water Emergency after notification from SUEZ Water that there is a water supply emergency due to low water supply reservoir levels. All outside watering is banned until further notice. Violations issued by the Rye Police Department are subject to penalties up to $250.

The Water Emergency applies to all City of Rye residents who receive their water from SUEZ. City residents in the Greenhaven section, Hannon Place, and parts of The Preserve would be exempt as they receive their water from Westchester Joint Water Works who has not called for a water emergency.

Please see attached Resolution to declare a Water Emergency in the City of Rye regarding current water supply conditions as recommended by the Suez and Aquarion Water Companies.

Here is the resolution passed by Rye city council:

RESOLUTION DECLARING CITY OF RYE WATER EMERGENCY

WHEREAS, portions of the City of Rye receive water from Suez of Westchester; and 

WHEREAS, under City Code Chapter 194, “Water Conservation”, the City Council has the authority to declare an emergency when it is notified by a water company that water use restrictions must be put in place; and 

WHEREAS, the City has been informed by Suez of Westchester that the local reservoir that supplies our community’s drinking water is down by about 60% capacity, due to the lack of rain and increased water usage demand;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the following water use restrictions for Suez of Westchester County customers only, are in place until further notice:

1. Any outside watering is prohibited by use of sprinkling systems or other commercial
   watering systems;
2. All Golf Clubs in the City of Rye shall not water any of the rough but is permitted to
   continue watering the fairways, greens and tees; and
3. Hand-held hose watering is permitted.