Water Supply & Conservation
The state's waters are used for domestic, municipal, agricultural, commercial, industrial, power, recreational and other important public purposes.
To ensure that our water supply meets present and future needs, DEC regulates and offers technical guidance for public water supply wells; registers water well contractors, and provides information to the public about droughts.
New Water Resources Law
On August 15, 2011 Governor Cuomo signed a new law that will further protect New York's waters, including the Great Lakes, by requiring a DEC permit for entities having the capacity to withdraw 100,000 gallons or more per day of surface or groundwater.
The law also requires statewide registration of existing agricultural withdrawals that are greater than 100,000 gpd (30 day average) and major basin water diversions of greater than 1,000,000 gpd. The law becomes effective on February 15, 2012 but no applications for non-public water supplies will be required until implementing regulations have been enacted. To see the law, click the link titled "New Water Resources Law" in the right hand margin of this page.
The links below contain information about:
- Reporting water withdrawal as per Title 33
- Permitting and technical assistance for public water supply wells
- Official guidance for design of drinking water facilities
- Policies for the review and approval of plans and specifications for public water supplies
- Applications for water supply well permits
- Water well contractor registration, notification of well drilling, and completion reports
- Drought conditions and how to reduce water use
- State Plumbing Fixtures Law and standards
More about Water Supply & Conservation:
- Water Use in New York - Summary of how the water resources of New York State are used
- Annual Water Withdrawal Reporting - Newly created Title 33 to Environmental Conservation Law Article 15 states that, "Any person who withdraws or is operating any system or method of withdrawal that has the capacity to withdraw more than 100,000 gallons of groundwater or surface water per day… shall file a report with the department…".
- Public Water Supply Program - Protects and conserves available water supplies by ensuring equitable and wise use of these supplies.
- Water Well Program - The NYS Water Well Driller Registration Law, as amended by the NYS Legislature in July 1999, requires any business conducting "water well drilling activities" to register annually with NYSDEC before doing business anywhere within the State of New York. Filing of preliminary notices and completion reports are also necessary. Licensing exams are required.
- Drought Facts - Definition, stages and watershed based drought management regions
