The Port Washington Water District announced an initiative on Thursday to cut back on water use and educate residents on how to conserve.

The  district chairman, David Brackett, said at a news conference that the district’s “Be Smart and Green, Save 15” campaign is intended to reduce water consumption by 15 percent during the irrigation season.

“As we head into the peak part of the summer in terms of water consumption per resident,” Brackett said, “we implore the community to come together.”

Brackett was joined  by state Sen. Jack Martins (R-Old Westbury), Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth and other local politicians.

Bosworth said the town will begin enforcing existing Nassau County lawn watering ordinances that have been overlooked in the past. She said this includes prohibitions on  watering  lawns from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which she said is inefficient since water evaporates more quickly during those hours.

“The initiative by the Port Washington Water District is a great first step,” Bosworth said. “I am hopeful that residents will embrace the ‘Save 15’ mentality.”

The campaign is focused on the reduction of water use by 15 percent, because, according to estimates by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, Port Washington’s water use is exceeding Nassau County’s authorized amount by 15 percent.

Bosworth said the campaign would focus heavily on locations that use high amounts of water, such as multi-resident homes, businesses and hotels.  

She cited the Harbor Links Golf Course, which uses high quantities of water daily in watering greens and maintaining the course’s grass. 

To reduce water consumption, the course is now using digital moisture meters, monitoring and optimizing its sprinkler usage and focusing its watering on hot spot sections of the course, Bosworth added.

The district said in a statement  that it will  provide heavy users with consultants to improve their water usage, while “reviewing existing irrigation systems to reduce water waste and piloting EPA WaterSense smart irrigation controller technology.”

“It starts with educating our residents about ways to conserve water and become more aware of the wasteful water usage habits we all have,” Bosworth said.

The district’s release recommended how to conserve water, such as utilizing drip irrigation devices and soaker hoses, purchasing and planting plants that require less water, adjusting sprinklers to aim at grass and plants only and by setting timers to keep track of watering.

Martins said water usage increases about 300 percent in the summer months, and that he’s confident that the Port Washington Water District will come together to reduce consumption.

“When it comes to conserving water, minor efforts make a major difference,” Martins said. “By following a few simple steps, residents can significantly reduce consumption.”

Flower Hill Mayor Elaine Phillips and Baxter Estates Mayor Nora Haagenson said both of their villages are committed to the water conservation. 

Manorhaven Village Trustee John Popeleski also gave the village’s support to the campaign. 

The district said in a release that it has implemented a leak-detection program. The program has already detected leaks in 10 locations, which when fixed will save the district 93,000 gallons per day, the release said.