United Water Calls for Conservation Following Storm

The fast flow of the Pootatuck River from the overwhelming swell of stormwater is causing problems for United Water Connecticut, prompting the company to call for water conservation in Newtown.

United Water Connecticut customers in New Milford and Newtown are urged to conserve water following Tropical Storm Irene, the company said in a press release.

"Customers should restrict their water usage while United Water works to maintain the integrity of its supplies,” said manager Steve Houst. 

In Newtown, an overflowing Pootatuck River has inundated the wellfield, which apparently causes the company difficulty when it goes to draw from the well. Until the river recedes, Newtown customers will draw from United Water's storage supplies, the company said.

United Water also serves customers in New Milford where a power outage has caused one of five wells to go offline, the company said.

“We are calling on our customers in these locations to use water only for essential purposes until we are able to return to normal operating conditions,” the company said in a press release. "We thank our customers for their cooperation during this time, as we work hard to maintain uninterrupted service."