By Damir Perge, Watergeddon.com
So, New York City is having an unusually dry Fall, complete with sunny skies, a marathon that felt more beachside than borough, and plenty of locals basking in that rare, rain-free autumn vibe. But here’s the catch: it’s been so dry that Mayor Adams has officially issued a “drought watch.” No need to panic (yet), but maybe ease up a bit on that water flow.
Now, for those who don’t live in NYC (hi, that’s me), this whole thing looks a bit like a classic New York nudge—a gentle reminder to think about water before it becomes a bigger problem. Mayor Adams is asking residents to keep water use in check, asking city agencies to come up with “water savings plans” and suggesting that you think twice before taking a ten-minute shower. It’s a little more “please” and a little less “must,” though the underlying message is clear: we’re getting closer to a situation where water conservation might not be optional.
Let’s break it down. October was NYC’s second-longest dry spell since 1869. No significant rainfall, and those upstate reservoirs that usually save the day? They’re running low too. Meanwhile, nearby Connecticut and New Jersey have been busy battling wildfires, thanks to conditions that are more California than East Coast this time of year. It's by no means Watergeddon, but it’s certainly nudging the edges.
And the mayor’s “suggestions”? They’re practical enough: shorter showers, don’t run your dishwasher half-full, and report those leaky hydrants you pass on the sidewalk. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi and Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol say if everyone pitches in with these small actions, it can actually save millions of gallons. I know, it sounds like a drop in the bucket (no pun intended), but it could be just enough to dodge stricter measures if this dry spell keeps up. In fact, if all New Yorkers turned off the tap while brushing their teeth, they could save around 2 billion gallons of water every month*—an impressive amount that could help significantly in times of drought or water conservation efforts.
So, here’s the takeaway for you New Yorkers (while I watch this from a comfortable distance): appreciate that sunny weather, but don’t ignore the signs. Cut back now, or brace yourself for the real deal later—because once “voluntary” conservation turns into mandates and fines, you’re going to wish you’d taken a few shorter showers. After all, Watergeddon is a crisis we can mitigate, even if it’s a bit of a New York drama right now.
Related: Tips on Saving Water from NYC.gov
*f every New Yorker stopped letting the water run while brushing their teeth, the potential savings would be quite substantial. Here’s a breakdown of how we could estimate this:
Average Water Flow Rate: Faucets typically flow at around 2 gallons per minute.
Brushing Time: The average person brushes their teeth twice a day for about 2 minutes each time. If the water runs continuously, that’s 4 minutes of water flow per person per day.
Daily Water Use for Brushing with Running Tap:
4 minutes x 2 gallons per minute = 8 gallons per person per day.
Monthly Water Use per Person:
8 gallons per day x 30 days = 240 gallons per person per month.
Population of New York City: Approximately 8.5 million.
So, if every New Yorker let the water run, the total monthly water usage would be:
240 gallons per person per month x 8.5 million people ≈ 2.04 billion gallons per month.
Comentarios