Fishers Island’s aquifer is a finite resource replenished by rainwater. The sandy permeable system requires careful management. Reducing overwatering and mitigating soil runoff is critical for conserving our precious water supply, particularly during peak usage times. Approximately 70% of water used during the summer is for landscaping, and 50% of this is actually wasted due to inefficient watering and overwatering.
Last summer, the Southold Town Board passed an irrigation code to promote water conservation (see below).
Suggested conservation actions:
During this summer’s highest demand hours, Fishers Island Water Works is asking the public to REFRAIN from watering between 8 PM and 12 midnight to preserve water pressure for residents in high elevations.
- Save on your water bill – Is your house or business already equipped with an automated sprinkler system? Switch out your old clock/ON OFF controller for a new EPA Watersense Smart Controller that adjusts watering schedules seasonally
- Don’t yet have an automated system? All newly installed automated irrigation systems must include a smart controller, per Section 164-3(C) passed by the Southold Town Board in July 2025.
- Plant native plants that don’t rely on irrigation and save money on watering
- Position sprinklers right: water the lawn and not the street
- Rain in the forecast? Turn off your sprinklers.
- Set your mower on a higher setting to keep your grass a bit longer and your lawn hydrated.
- Place mulch around plantings to retain moisture so they need less frequent watering.
- Follow odd/even water scheduling. If your house number ends in an odd number, only water on odd-numbered calendar dates. 105 Water Street would be watered on April 1, 3, 5, etc. 106 Water Street would be watered on April 2, 4, 6, etc.
Southold Town Irrigation Code
Chapter 164, Local Law 7-2025, Irrigation
Section 164-3(C) – Smart Controllers shall be attached to all newly installed automatic irrigation systems and set to prevent irrigation after ½ inch of rainfall.
Section 164-4(A) – Automatic Irrigation systems shall be set to irrigate on even-numbered days for those with even-numbered street addresses and on odd-numbered days for those with odd-numbered street addresses. Daily irrigation is prohibited.
Section 164-4(C) – All existing irrigation systems shall be equipped with a Smart Controller and rain sensor by August 13, 2028.
Section 164-8 – Penalties may be assessed after notice of non-compliance has been served.
