The Plainview Water District Board of Commissioners wish to remind the residents of Plainview that the need to conserve our underground drinking water is both urgent and essential for the health and property values of our community. They also want to remind residents that each one of us has an obligation to do our part to ensure a pure and plentiful water supply, for ourselves and for future generations.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation imposes pumpage limits, or CAPS, on all the water suppliers in Nassau County. These CAPS, which limit the amount of water our district can provide to our customers, are developed as a means to protect the depletion of Long Island's aquifers due to excessive water withdrawal. It is essential that these limits be strictly adhered to if we are to save our water supply.

According to Paul Granger, superintendent of the Plainview Water District, there are several other major reasons to conserve water, including:

* Overwatering your lawn can cause damage and can be worse than too little water. For example, too much water will cause root damage to lawns and plants and promote the formation of fungus and other diseases.

* Reducing water use will improve overall water pressure and flow to the home.

* Conserving water will reduce stress on the water district supply well system thereby ensuring that water will be available during emergencies (i.e. fires).

* Water conservation will save residents money by reducing overall operating capital costs. The savings are ultimately passed to the consumer.