The necessity for water conservation goes beyond the simple balance of supply versus demand. Water must be used wisely regardless of the abundance of a water supply. This applies to both private wells and public supply. Orange County has demonstrated, and will continue to demonstrate that conservation consciousness is essential for ensuring resources will continue to be available to growing communities. There are many ways to become a water-wise consumer. The first step is to be informed, then you can begin to implement simple small changes around your home or business to save water and money, and feel good knowing you are making a difference. The following documents can assist you in your mission to be a water-wise consumer.

• 17 Easy Ways to Save Water and Money! (PDF)
• Consumers Guide to Conservation (PDF)
• Drought Management Plan Guide (PDF)
• Gardening Conservation (PDF)
• Various Conservation Brochures (PDF)

Conservation Education Programming 

Since its inception in 1994, OCWA Educators have brought the Water Conservation Education Program to approximately 120,000 elementary students and counting. Each year our educators teach over 9000 students! With concerns for our future, conservation education has played a major role in the education of our children and their families at home. The purpose of this program is to educate children about the growing local and global concerns for water conservation and protection; hands on fun and challenging activities help to convey this important message. The Program and activities are designed to enrich and complement many components of the school curriculum. Throughout the program, both staff and students are amazed and even shocked when they learn how much water is wasted on a daily basis in their homes. The program teaches ways to decrease water use without changing lifestyles drastically. The activities presented give students the opportunity to participate actively using group dynamics, information gathering skills, and problem solving techniques to understand their direct roles for water conservation and protection.

• Water Conservation Education Program Brochure (PDF)

For more information or to schedule a visit to your school, send an email to our Conservation Education Team at ocwaeducators@gmail.com

For general information about this and other Education Programs email the main office or call 845-615-3868.

Tips, Testing and Information

Is Your Well Water Safe to Drink? The only way to tell if your drinking water is safe is by having it tested at a certified laboratory. Harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses are invisible to the naked eye, so water which looks and tastes good may not necessarily be safe to drink or water that appears questionable may indeed be absolutely safe to drink. Microbes can exist in surface and groundwater supplies, and can cause immediate sickness in humans if not properly treated. Certain chemical contaminants that are sometimes found in a water source can cause long term health problems that take years to develop. Regular water testing will identify unsafe water and ensure that the treatment system is treating the water to a satisfactory level.

What Tests Should I Have Done? Useful tests are available to help determine the health and safety of a water supply, and the performance of a water treatment system. The Orange County Dept of Environmental Health can assist in selecting tests important for assessing your drinking water.

To obtain a list of New York State approved labs in Orange County, NY contact the OC Dept of Health at 845-291-6664.

NYS recently announced a new FREE LEAD TESTING pilot program: Residents in NY State can have their water tested for lead for FREE while funding is available. Residents need to fill out a short form and email it to the Bureau of Water Supply Protection here:  Free Lead Testing Pilot Program. They will mail you a kit, instructions, and return postage to a particating lab.

Orange County Dept of Health, Environmental Division, when necessary, issues Boil Water Advisories for municipal and community water supplies. View which communities may have been issued boil water advisories. We also recommend visiting their website for other public health announcements and news. A new website offers information on local water quality: Members of the public looking to find out about their municipal and ground water quality have a new centralized resource to use. The New York Public Interest Research Group, is a non-partisan, nonprofit, research and public education organization, recently unveiled a new database that's available to the public. Use the What's In My Water? Weblink to be directed to the online database.

For additional information about drinking water and boiling water advisories, visit the New York State Health Department website.