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Stamford Asked To Cut Water Use By 10% As Drought Conditions Continue

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. — Aquarion Water C. is asking customers in Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan and Stamford to shut down irrigation systems and sprinklers for the season.

Customers in Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan and Stamford are asked to stop watering lawns and landscaping for the season due to drought conditions.

Customers in Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan and Stamford are asked to stop watering lawns and landscaping for the season due to drought conditions.

Photo Credit: File

A lack of rainfall led Aquarion to make the request on Wednesday as drought conditions continue in the southwest corner of the state. 

The Greenwich reservoir system at 48 percent capacity — well below the 67 percent seasonal average, Aquarion Water said. Aquarion’s Stamford reservoir system, at 61 percent capacity, is also below its 71 percent seasonal average.

Although reservoir levels are higher now compared with this time last year, the lack of precipitation and increased irrigation water demand are reducing reservoir levels, Aquarion said. 

At Aquarion’s Greenwich reservoirs, there has been 23 percent less rainfall in the past 90 days compared with the 10-year average for this time period, as unseasonably warm weather continued this fall.

“Based on our new drought trigger advisory system, the Greenwich reservoir system has already hit our first drought trigger level,” said Charles V. Firlotte, Aquarion president and CEO. “It is important for our customers to support these voluntary conservation measures, and continue to use our water resources wisely.”

Aquarion has also launched a substantial infrastructure investment program to increase the supply of water to the communities in southwest Fairfield County. 

Some of the projects will be completed by year end, and the remaining work will be finished over the next five years. These projects will greatly improve the resiliency of the water system against droughts.

In addition to shutting down irrigation systems for the season, Aquarion is asking customers to reduce indoor consumption by 10 percent.

To reduce indoor water use, Aquarion recommends that customers:

  • Repair leaks in plumbing and fixtures
  • Switch to water-efficient toilets, washing machines and dishwashers
  • Run only full loads in the washing machine and dishwashers
  • Turn off the tap while washing hands, shaving or brushing teeth
  • Take shorter showers
  • Hand-wash dishes in a basin, not under running water

Additional conservation tips and an interactive water calculator can be found at www.aquarionwater.com/conserve.

Aquarion is the public water supply company for more than 625,000 people in 51 cities and towns throughout Connecticut. For more information, visit www.aquarionwater.com or www.facebook.com/aquarionwater.

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