American Water urges customers to save water post Hurricane Sandy

US-based public utility company American Water’s subsidiary New Jersey American Water has urged its customers to prevent water loss, and conserve it during and post Hurricane Sandy.

The east coast of the US has been badly affected by the high-speed hurricane, which has damaged many electric power lines and resulted in outages and reduced water services.

Many water utility companies including American Water has requested their customers to save water as the country recovers from the aftermath of the one of the strongest hurricanes in over 100 years.

New Jersey American Water Operations vice president Stephen P Schmitt said saving water voluntarily will reduce the demand on the water system, which is currently being run on backup power.

"We are working with the power companies to have power fully restored at all of our pumping stations and water treatment plants, and ask that our customers discontinue non-essential water use until further notice," Schmitt added.

The company has suggested a few tips for its customers to conserve water such as avoiding unimportant use of water, taking short baths and showers, avoiding the use of outdoor hose, using dishwasher and washing machines only when they are full, and checking for water leakages.

Some companies took precautionary steps ahead of the storm to protect water infrastructure and maintain uninterrupted services, while others are arranging for alternative power supply to restore the interrupted water services.

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Image: Hurricane Sandy has resulted in power outages causing reduced and interrupted water services in Eastern US. Photo: Tomwsulcer.