As spring planting season begins, the Rockland County Task Force on Water Resources Management is encouraging residents to adopt water-smart landscaping practices aimed at protecting local water supplies and improving environmental sustainability.

County officials say reducing unnecessary lawn areas and replacing them with native plants or drought-tolerant landscaping can significantly cut down on outdoor water usage during the warmer months, when demand on Rockland’s water system rises sharply.

According to the Task Force, daily water consumption in Rockland County increases from an average of approximately 30 million gallons per day to as much as 45 million gallons per day during peak spring and summer months due to irrigation, planting, and higher temperatures.

Residents are being encouraged to replace ornamental or nonfunctional turf areas with native planting beds and to consider green infrastructure solutions such as rain gardens, bioswales, permeable pavement, and rain barrels. These features help absorb stormwater, reduce runoff, improve groundwater recharge, and lower the strain on local water resources.

Several locations throughout Rockland County already feature these environmentally friendly systems, including Orangeburg Library, Bowline Point Park, Kennedy Dells County Park, and Piermont Library, where rain gardens and native plantings have been installed.

The Task Force highlighted native plants such as Creeping Phlox, Foamflower ‘Elizabeth Oliver,’ and Jacob’s Ladder as examples of species that naturally adapt to local soil and climate conditions while requiring less supplemental watering once established.

“Spring is the perfect time to think about how our landscapes can work with nature instead of against it,” said District 10 Legislator and Task Force Chair Beth Davidson. “By replacing sections of lawn areas with native plants and incorporating features that manage rainwater naturally, residents can play a direct role in protecting Rockland County’s water resources.”

Officials also noted that Rockland County receives an average of 45 inches of rainfall annually, much of which can be collected and reused for gardens, bird baths, and other outdoor purposes through the use of rain barrels.

The Water Task Force is also partnering with the national “Less Lawn More Life” campaign, a free 12-week educational initiative focused on sustainable landscaping practices. The program includes expert-led webinars covering topics such as native plants, fertilizer and pesticide management, erosion control, and water conservation.

In addition, the Task Force announced an upcoming “Lunch & Learn” webinar titled “Working Together for Safe Drinking Water: Local Services and Public Health,” scheduled for May 28 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., featuring speakers from the Rockland County Department of Health’s Water Supply and Wastewater divisions.

Residents seeking assistance with native plants and sustainable gardening can also contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland County’s Master Gardener Volunteers for guidance on plant selection, pest identification, and garden care.

The Rockland County Water Conservation Project is funded by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.