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
Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.
While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.
Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.
The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.
Link to Village of Bronxville One Square Mile Monthly Newsletter
Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
337-6500
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Police Department
337-0500
Open 24 hours
Bronxville Parking Violations
337-2024
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Fire Deparment
793-6400