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ROTTERDAM — Facing the brunt of scorching conditions, Rotterdam Town Supervisor Mollie Collins issued a nearly weeklong water emergency on Tuesday.
Town officials have put a conditional halt on outside water use from Tuesday to next Monday in order to let water tanks recover and maintain safe levels for fire protection. Residents are permitted to water their plants between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. and 9.p.m. on alternating days per house number.
“Given what’s going on, and that we’re kind of in a drought situation right now, I’m not surprised that people have been using more of the water,” Collins said.
Collins typically expects water tanks to face a greater strain during July and August, months historically associated with hotter, drier conditions. However, climate change, she said, has rendered such emergencies unpredictable.
Any resident who uses water outside — be it for filling pools or washing cars — will be slapped with a warning. Repeat offenders will face a $100 fine, the supervisor maintained.
There are some exceptions.
“A lot of people grow their own vegetables, can and freeze their own vegetables and it doesn’t apply to your vegetable gardens,” Collins said.
Tyler A. McNeil can be reached at 518-395-3047 or [email protected]. Follow him on Facebook at Tyler A. McNeil, Daily Gazette or Twitter @TylerAMcNeil.
Categories: -News-, News, Rotterdam, Schenectady County
