Official Gauges Snow's Contribution to Shenipsit Lake Water Levels

TOLLAND, CT — So what will all this snow do for the Shenipsit Lake reservoir?

It will make a slight dent, but not fully replenish the low water levels, a spokesman for Connecticut Water Company said.

"We welcome the precipitation and it will help, but it is by no means a drought-buster," Connecticut Water spokesman Dan Meaney said.

Meaney said 15 inches of snow melt is equal to abut 1 inch of rain.

The are has been on a water watch for nearly half-a-year. In early November, Tolland County was added to the state drought watch and residents are being asked to cut water usage by 15 percent, state officials said.

A typical Connecticut Water residential household uses about 165 gallons of water per day, state officials said. Based on three people living in the household, a 15 percent household reduction would be 8 gallons per person per day, state officials said.

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