By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – The hot, dry weather in our region is resulting in record water usage by customers of the Erie County Water Authority.
Nearly 120 million gallons of water were pumped Monday. That was a record Authority director Robert Mendez said was likely broken Wednesday. Despite one of the driest July's in area history, Mendez said the Water Authority is meeting the demand.
"We are pumping at full capacity," Mendez said. "There are a few isolated pressure problems in parts of Lancaster and Clarence."
Mendez says those problems will be addressed later this year when construction begins on two new pump stations. He says additional personnel is on duty to respond to any problems resulting from the increased demand.
But Mendez says there is plenty of available water.
"We are fortunate to be located next to Lake Erie," Mendez said. "We have an abundant supply of fresh water."
The Erie County Water Authority provides water for about 540,000 people in Western New York.