Voluntary Water Conservation Urged In Stratford By Aquarion Water Company

STRATFORD, CT — Aquarion Water Company is urging voluntary water conservation in a number of Connecticut communities, including Stratford, the company announced Monday.

“With a deficit of more than 13 inches of rainfall over the past year, Aquarion’s Eastern Fairfield County System has reached its first drought trigger at 65% of total capacity,” according to a news release from Aquarion.

As a result, Aquarion is asking customers in the following towns to voluntarily conserve water to help the system recover:

• Bethel
• Bridgeport
• Easton
• Fairfield
• Monroe
• Newtown
• Redding
• Shelton
• Stratford
• Trumbull
• Weston
• Westport
• Wilton

Aquarion officials said Connecticut is currently experiencing conditions ranging from “abnormally dry” to “moderate drought” due to an extended dry spell.

Although recent snowfall has “provided some relief, substantially more precipitation is needed to offset the ongoing deficit,” according to Aquarion.

As a reference point, 10 inches of snow equals approximately one inch of rain, according to Aquarion.

“Due to current drought conditions, Aquarion is advising customers to voluntarily reduce their water use,” Aquarion President Lucy Teixeira said. “It is important for all of our customers to assist in this effort, to help ensure our Eastern Fairfield County system recovers for spring and summer.”

The company also provided the following list of six simple ways to conserve water:

1. Fix Leaks Promptly: Even small leaks can waste a significant amount of water. Regularly check for and repair leaks in faucets, toilets, and pipes.
2. Install Water-Efficient Fixtures: Choose WaterSense-labeled fixtures, such as low-flow showerheads and faucets. These can significantly reduce water usage without sacrificing performance.
3. Take Shorter Showers: Cutting your shower time by just a few minutes can save hundreds of gallons of water per month.
4. Run Full Loads: Use your dishwasher and washing machine only with full loads. This maximizes water use per cycle.
5. Turn Off the Tap: When brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing dishes by hand, turn off the tap to avoid unnecessary water waste.
6. Landscaping Projects: Hold off on new landscaping projects until the fall.

Aquarion will also be introducing its twice-weekly irrigation schedule to Eastern Fairfield County towns not already in the program, according to the company.

“The irrigation schedule is designed to prevent overwatering while meeting the needs of the vast majority of landscapes and is credited with saving hundreds of millions of gallons of water each year,” according to the news release. “The irrigation schedule is an important part of Aquarion’s plan to reduce the impact on reservoirs during the warmer months when demand is at its peak.”

Additional conservation tips and information are available here.