By Mary Marvin, Mayor of Bronxville

July 26, 2023: As you are aware by the change in billing address, the purveyor of potable water to our homes has changed once again to a company named VEOLIA.

Still some of the most expensive water in the United States, Veolia services 146,000 customers in New Rochelle, Eastchester, Bronxville, Tuckahoe, Pelham, Pelham Manor, Ardsley, Hastings on Hudson and Dobbs Ferry.

All of our water is purchased from the New York City water system with 100% of the supply from the Catskill and Delaware systems via aqueducts and pump stations, most notably the one on California Road that supplies our day-to-day demands on the system.

Costing about one penny per gallon, Veolia has pledged to invest $473 million over the next four years in water infrastructure.

The New York State Public Service Commission sets the rates that our water utility can charge as well as requiring all water companies to read your meter at least once every 12 months. Residential customers may also be able to pay annual water charges in 12 equal monthly payments. The Public Service Commission authorized an increase in service rates to the Village effective February 1, 2023 and current rates are posted at Rates and Regulation | Veolia Water.

An important number to have is the water emergency contact at 877-266-9101 and choose Option One. For email questions and other information or inquiries reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

It’s important when looking at their website to understand the responsibilities of homeowners, as customers are responsible for the pipes and plumbing inside their property line.

Given the extremely high cost of water and the great uptick in usage in the coming two months, I thought it advantageous to share water conservation methods that are suggested by many government departments and green friendly organizations.

Toilets are the most common source of household water leaks. You can check your toilets for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank and do not flush. If you see color in the toilet bowl after 15 minutes, you clearly have a leak that needs to be addressed. Also encourage family members and visitors to turn off faucets tightly and fix any leaks immediately.

At this time of year, it is clearly the exterior of our homes that consume the most water be it for lawns, shrubbery, plants or pools.

In the garden, mulching is a very cost-effective and eco-friendly way to retain moisture in soil. Spreading a layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips or straw around plants, trees and shrubs will help to prevent evaporation while keeping the soil cool and suppressing weed growth. By reducing evaporation, you’ll be able to water less frequently while still providing essential hydration and nutrients.

In essence, whether it’s mulching or shade planting, the key to conserving water is to water wisely. Water during the cooler parts of the day such as early morning or evening to minimize evaporation. Install a rain sensor on your sprinkler system to prevent unnecessary watering during or after rainfall and take care to angle the sprinklers correctly so that they are not watering driveways or sidewalks. Embrace drought tolerant plants or consider replacing high-water consuming plants with alternatives. Native plants are well adapted to the local climate and require less water in general to thrive. These plants have the ability to withstand periods of drought and can not only conserve water but add a natural beauty to your landscape. Our local nurseries and gardening experts are well versed in choosing the most suitable plants.

Take advantage of the one positive of the heavy rainfall of late by collecting rainwater in barrels or cisterns, thus allowing you to use free and naturally soft water for irrigation. If you attach a rain barrel to your gutter, downspouts and store for later use, it’s a sustainable solution and also many of the new barrels are really quite attractive urns that add a decorative aesthetic to homes. In addition, sweep paved surfaces instead of hosing them down and use a broom to clean outdoor spaces.

It really makes financial sense in a very short time frame to have a very efficient irrigation system and to spend the money to upgrade to maximize water efficiency. Most eco-friendly professionals encourage the use of drip irrigation or soaker hoses, which deliver water directly to the roots, minimizing waste from evaporation and runoff. Another option offered is to install a smart irrigation controller that programs a watering schedule based on weather conditions and soil moisture levels. The systems can save significant amounts of water by ensuring your plants receive the right amount of water at exactly the right time. VEOLIA offers a controller that programs a watering schedule based on weather conditions and soil moisture levels. VEOLIA offers a $50 rebate on some water sense models.

If you have a pool or spa, minimize water waste by covering the pool when not in use to reduce evaporation and keep the water cleaner for longer periods as well. Monitor and fix any leaks promptly to prevent unnecessary water loss and consider installing a pool filter timer to regulate filtration cycles further reducing energy consumption and water usage.

“Let us be good stewards of the Earth we inherited. All of us have to share the Earth’s fragile ecosystems and precious resources, and each of us has a role to play in preserving them. If we are to go on living together on this earth, we must all be responsible for it.” — Kofi Annan