POUGHKEEPSIE – A restriction at the water intake pipe in the Hudson River for the towns of Hyde Park and Rhinebeck has resulted in the Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority to request customers to reduce water use until further notice.
Affected areas include the Hyde Park Water System, the Staatsburg Water System including the southern part of the Town of Rhinebeck, Zone L and the Harbourd Hills/Zone D Water System.
Officials said the restriction at the intake pipe has significantly reduced
the amount of water that can be treated by the Hyde Park Water Treatment
Plant and supplied to the distribution system.
Heavy ice in the river is hampering efforts to deploy divers to clear the intake screens, officials said.
Water use reduction measures include making sure all unused are completely shut off; limiting or postponing use of water intensive appliances like dishwashers and washing machines; limiting or postponing backwashing of filters and water softeners; postponing washing vehicles; and eliminating any unnecessary water use.