NYACK, NY — With the forecast finally calling for sunny, warm weather and area residents considering more backyard activities, water-supplier SUEZ has announced its daily ET lawn-watering program is now available in Rockland and Westchester counties. The program is being offered at SUEZ locations for the summer season. It is designed to help customers water, time and money.



SUEZ, together with the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist at Rutgers University, developed a simplified web interface and email system so water customers can enjoy a green lawn during the warm months. ET is short for EvapoTranspiration. It's a measure of water loss from soil through evaporation and moisture loss from plant life through transpiration and is influenced by air temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, wind speed and precipitation. A daily value is then calculated for the optimal amount of water the average lawn needs based on local weather conditions. This information is translated into an ET number — or the recommended amount of time a lawn should be watered.

Outdoor watering can account for about a 50 percent increase in water usage during the summer. Lawns are often over-watered, resulting in higher water bills while also wasting water, a precious natural resource. ET provides an effective way to conserve water while maintaining a beautiful landscape. "We're pleased to offer our customers the option to receive a daily email tailored precisely to local lawn watering information," said Chris Graziano, vice president of SUEZ operations in New York. The ET irrigation method also helps maintain the company's conservation efforts while helping customers who wish to enjoy a healthy green lawn.

Customers can receive a free, daily email with recommended lawn watering information by visiting and registering at www.mysuezwater.com/greenlawns. Additional information on water conservation can be found at the SUEZ water conservation page. "I'm honored that SUEZ once again selected Rutgers to provide its customers with the most accurate weather data for its lawn watering program," said David Robinson, NJ State Climatologist. "Our expert technical team, in cooperation with SUEZ, will be utilizing an assortment of weather stations and state-of-the-art hydrological equations to deliver the best information and guidance for the most efficient use of water for lawns within Rockland and Westchester counties."

Meteorological data compiled by Rutgers utilizes local SUEZ weather stations, stations from the NJ Weather and Climate Network and the National Weather Service.

SUEZ provides water services to about 500,000 people in Rockland and Westchester counties.