Ballston issues restriction on lawn watering effective immediately

BALLSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) – The Town of Ballston issued a water restriction that’s effective immediately. Officials asked residents to be more conscious about their water usage and put restrictions on when people can water their lawns. 

On Thursday, NEWS10 got a look inside of the Saratoga County Water Authority (S.C.W.A.), the agency that recommended the changes.

It’s one of the most advanced water treatment facilities in the country, and the most advanced in the Capital Region, because it uses two different filtration systems. 

Microfiltration membrane fibers are used in combination with activated carbon filtration systems. What that means for you…

“The water’s very clean,” said S.C.W.A. Executive Director Ed Hernandez. On average, the authority pumps around 7 million gallons a day. 

“We send water to communities such as Wilton, Clifton Park, Town of Ballston, Stillwater, Moreau, Saratoga Tech Park, throughout the county,” said Hernandez. But recently, he said, they’ve seen demand skyrocket.

“When it gets hot and dry like it’s been over the last few weeks our water demand increases substantially. It can increase as much as 12 million gallons a day,” said Hernandez.

It is recommended to water lawns at night, but Hernandez said, “if everyone is operating their sprinkler systems at the same time, our water demands can increase as much as 500% over a few hour period.”

The authority wants to spread out the demand, to “get rid of those peaks in the system”. Hernandez said it makes a big difference with how things operate and ensures everyone has adequate water pressure.

They’re seeing peak use between 4:00 A.M. and 9:00 A.M. That’s why, on Wednesday, the Town of Ballston issued a water restriction and asked residents to conserve water. 

As part of the water restriction, if your house number is even, they want you to only water your lawn on even numbered days. And if your house number is odd, they want you to only water your lawn on odd numbered days.

Hernandez shared other tips to use water more efficiently at home. He suggests doing full loads of laundry instead of multiple loads, and when possible water lawns and plants with other sources of water – like rain water – and use high-efficiency and low flow fixtures.

“Water is certainly an important resource. We want to protect it,” said Hernandez.

Water restrictions in the Town of Ballston will remain in place until further notice.