Thursday, October 1, 2026
It’s the hottest time of year on Long Island, and high temperatures mean high water use. From June through September, demand for water surges, driven largely by lawn irrigation and outdoor use. Long Islanders love green lawns, but they come at a cost that many residents don’t fully see: added strain on our water infrastructure and increased stress on Long Island’s sole-source aquifer, the only source of drinking water for nearly 3 million people.
Long Island has no alternative water supply. We rely entirely on a vast but finite underground aquifer system that must meet all residential, commercial and public needs. That makes water conservation not just a seasonal suggestion, but a long-term necessity.
The latest findings from the Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection underscore the urgency of the issue. According to LICAP’s 2025 State of the Aquifer report, groundwater levels have shown troubling declines in recent years, particularly following periods of below-average rainfall. As hydrologic conditions fluctuate, especially during dry spells, increased pumping to meet peak summer demand puts additional pressure on the aquifer.
This is just as much an infrastructure challenge as it is an environmental concern. Every gallon of water that must be pumped, treated and delivered requires energy and infrastructure capacity. During the summer, water providers must operate at peak levels to keep up with demand. That accelerates wear and tear on pumps, wells, treatment systems and water mains, increasing maintenance costs and, ultimately, costs for ratepayers. Simply put, excessive water use today leads to higher costs tomorrow.
Conservation plays a significant role in mitigating all of these risks. Reducing unnecessary water use — particularly irrigation — can significantly ease the burden on both the aquifer and water providers’ infrastructure. Studies continue to show that lawns only require about one inch of water per week to remain healthy. Yet many residential irrigation systems run far more frequently than necessary, often during the hottest parts of the day, when much of that water is lost to evaporation.
Simple changes can make a meaningful difference. Following odd/even watering schedules helps distribute demand more evenly. Avoiding irrigation between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. reduces waste due to evaporation. Even skipping watering after rainfall can save thousands of gallons per household over the course of a season.
Technology also plays an important role. Smart irrigation controllers, which adjust watering schedules based on real-time weather conditions, are among the most effective tools available, ensuring that landscapes receive only the water they need, helping homeowners save money while supporting broader conservation goals. They ultimately pay for themselves, often within only a couple of years. Some Long Island water providers have rebate programs for residents who make the switch to smart controllers, making them even more cost-effective.
As highlighted in the State of the Aquifer report, conservation works hand in hand with other efforts such as water reuse, source water protection and advanced monitoring to ensure the sustainability of our groundwater resources. These strategies are essential to maintaining the reliability of our water supply in the face of growing demand, ever-evolving drinking water regulations and changing climate conditions.
It’s also important to recognize that conservation is about more than quantity. Reducing excessive pumping helps maintain natural groundwater levels, which in turn supports streamflow and protects wetlands. It limits the risk of saltwater intrusion, which poses a significant threat to Long Island’s coastal communities. These environmental benefits are critical to preserving Long Island’s ecosystems and quality of life.
The responsibility of protecting our aquifer belongs to all of us. Water providers are investing heavily in infrastructure and treatment technologies and planning efforts to safeguard this resource. But they can’t do it alone. Actions taken by residents each day collectively have a profound impact.
This summer, we urge all Long Islanders to be mindful of their water use. Small changes, when adopted by millions of people, can yield significant results. By conserving water, we not only protect a vital natural resource, but also strengthen our infrastructure, stabilize costs and ensure that future generations of Long Islanders will have access to clean, reliable drinking water.
On Long Island, water isn’t just a utility. It is our lifeline, and we all need to do our part to protect it.
Brendan Warner is chairman of the Long Island Water Conference.
