Water company warns of possible drought
As it experiences “nearrecord water demands,” Aquarion Water Co. called Friday for a voluntary 20 percent reduction in usage in southwest Fairfield County.
Aquarion said it has hit its first drought trigger, which could cause temporary low water pressure as well as possible water discoloration until water usage
returns to normal levels.
“Aquarion is advising customers to reduce their water use,” company President Donald Morrissey said in a statement. “It is important for all of our customers to assist in this effort, to ensure towns have adequate water for fire protection and other vital needs.”
The voluntary reduction affects residents of Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, Westport and Newtown.
In Greenwich, town Director of Environmental Affairs Patricia Sesto urged residents to take this warning seriously but said there is not currently a water shortage in Greenwich.
“It is important for our residents to consider drought or the risk of drought at two levels: drinking water supply and ecologically,” Sesto said. “Our reservoirs are still fairly full and Aquarion is paying attention to our precipitation profile of the past months and upcoming forecast.”
According to Sesto, rainfall has been below-average over the past couple of months with only 1.5 inches over the last 30 days, which is one-third of normal.
“So while the reservoirs are still at good levels, Aquarion is rightfully concerned this may not be the case as we move forward,” Sesto said.
The dry conditions came on rapidly without relenting, which is known as a “flash drought,” said Doug Hoskins, of the Water Planning and Management Division for the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
“All of the sudden it just stops raining for a significant amount of time and that’s what’s happening now,” Hoskins said.
There hasn’t been significant rain for a while, he said. The small amount of rain in the forecast is not significant enough to improve conditions, Hoskins said.
Connecticut sees an average of 50 inches of rainfall per year, but is currently 2 inches below normal, he said.
Aquarion suggested that residents follow the twiceweekly sprinkler irrigation schedule that has been in place in Greenwich since 2016. If the last digit of your address begins with 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8, you irrigate on Sundays and Wednesdays. And if the address ends in 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9, you irrigate on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Those with no address numbers can use Sundays and Wednesdays.
Sprinkler irrigation should take place between 12:01 and 10 a.m. or 6 p.m. and midnight, Aquarion said.
Other ways to conserve water include adjusting lawn mowers to higher settings — a taller lawn provides shade to roots and retains soil moisture so less water is required. Adjust sprinklers so the water goes only on the lawn and
garden, not the street or sidewalk. Or do hand watering or drip irrigation for shrubs and flowers. And inspect irrigation systems for leaks, broken lines and blockages.
Indoors, save water by turning off the water while shaving, lathering or brushing your teeth; minimizing baths and shortening showers by a minute; washing only full loads in a dishwasher or washing machines; hand washing dishes in a pan or the sink and not under continuous running water; and using dehumidifier water or water from a shower or bath to water plants.
This comes at a time when experts urge hand washing for 20 seconds to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Sesto said people should continue to do that but said to turn off the water while soaping up.
If dry conditions persist and stage two is required, that would mean more restrictions, Sesto said.
“To help sustain the public drinking water supply and reduce the stress on our groundwater table for those served by wells, it is prudent to take steps now to prolong our water supplies and reduce the impact of a drought should we get there,” she said.
Greenwich went through drought conditions in 2016, which resulted in mandatory water use restrictions from September 2016 until April 2017, including a ban on all outdoor water use. The town ultimately put in place the still-active restrictions on lawn irrigation.
The last time Connecticut suffered a severe drought it lasted 46 weeks, beginning June 21, 2016, and ending May 2, 2017, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System.
Aquarion spokesperson Peter Fazekas said earlier this week that there was no indication whether new restrictions would be needed in Greenwich.
“It really all depends on how long the hot weather and lack of precipitation lasts,” Fazekas said. “We are monitoring it closely.”